Waking the giant: KPP's bold prediction for English rugby league
- Author
- Timestamp
Wests Tigers recruit Kai Pearce-Paul has declared the passion and support exists to turn England into an international rugby league powerhouse.
The punishing edge forward is the latest in a long line of English players to star in the UK Super League before moving to Australia for a shot at the NRL.
Pearce-Paul joined the Tigers this year after two seasons with the Knights and made an instant impact by scoring a double in his club debut last weekend.
The 25-year-old will return to the field for Multicultural Round when the Tigers take on the Rabbitohs in Gosford on Saturday night.
Kai Pearce-Paul 2nd Try
Pearce-Paul grew up watching the Burgess brothers play for South Sydney and hopes more English players have the chance to play in the NRL in the coming years.
"Playing against [Australian players] and playing with them helps us become better players," Pearce-Paul said.
"We know the talent out here, there are some great players out here in the NRL and you can definitely help the players improve by playing with them."
Match: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
5th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The NRL will celebrate the global nature of rugby league across the weekend, with Pearce-Paul's heritage a prime example of the sport's ability to bring diverse cultures together.
The forward is English born and is of Dutch, St Vincent, and Antigua and Barbuda descent through his grandparents.
Pearce-Paul grew up in London before eventually moving to Wigan to commence his professional career.
While he has been in Australia since the end of 2023, the forward has watched closely as English rugby league battles through a difficult commercial environment.
Kai Pearce-Paul Try
For all the challenges facing the sport in the UK, there are plenty of positive signs for a bright future.
Pearce-Paul turned out for England in a record-breaking Ashes series last season, while Hull KR stunned the Broncos in the World Club Challenge last month.
The London Broncos have also attracted plenty of headlines since Darren Lockyer and businessman Grant Wechsel took charge of the club late last year.
The new owners have installed Jason Demetriou as coach, recruited a host of star players and built a presence in the UK's biggest city as they look to gain promotion from the Championship to the Super League next year.
Pearce-Paul is a product of the London Broncos Academy and hopes the team's rise will attract a new legion of fans to the game.
"The Broncos are on the rise at the moment," Pearce-Paul said. "They got their new owners and some big signings. With the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard over there, they're in for a big season.
"They've got one more year in the Championship and then hopefully they can go up to the Super League next year. The club's definitely on the horizon, there's more players, especially NRL players, who are going to go over there and play in the capital.
"It's great for the sport because capital rugby league is the best rugby league."
The success of the English domestic league is closely related to the national team's fortunes, with this year's World Cup looming as an opportunity to upset Australia and New Zealand.
England officials are close to finalising a new head coach, with Hull KR mentor Willie Peters among the leading contenders to take charge.
The country's World Cup campaign is likely to be bolstered by the presence of a handful of Australian-based players who have recently pledged their allegiance to England, including AJ Brimson and Victor Radley.
England Eligible Players Top Tries from Round 2
Recent changes to State of Origin eligibility rules have also opened the door for more players of English heritage to represent the nation and Pearce-Paul is eager for England to field the strongest team possible.
"On a personal level I think we should pick whoever makes the team better," he said. "At the end of the day, when I play for England I want to win and I want the best team possible.
"If that means having players who aren't necessarily fully English, I couldn't care less. I just want to win, wherever I go. Anyone we can add to the squad who can make a difference, I'm happy to have them."
