He was touted as the next SBW. Could he be heading for Tigers?
By Adrian Proszenko, Robert Dillon and Dan Walsh
May 11, 2025 — 4.00pm
Wests Tigers have emerged as potential contenders for the signature of off-contract Newcastle forward Kai Pearce-Paul.
The England international, who has made 29 NRL appearances for the Knights, was compared to Sonny Bill Williams when he first arrived from Super League, and although he has shown glimpses of his potential during his time in the Hunter, he has not been as dominant as he was in the UK.
The 198-centimetre, 108-kilogram back-rower, who is unlikely to be re-signed by the Knights, is keen on a new start and several NRL clubs have expressed interest, most notably the Tigers.
As yet, no deal has been struck but if the parties can come to terms for an immediate switch – rather than Pearce-Paul arriving at the end of the season – it would free up the money Newcastle need to immediately bring out-of-favour Rooster Dom Young back to the club.
Young is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027, but the club is at loggerheads with the Knights over whether they should pay any of the winger’s freight.
Wests Tigers have emerged as potential suitors for want-away Knights back-rower.
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