'Halfback's worst nightmare': KPP and Nsemba chase Cup glory with England

Kai Pearce-Paul has backed second row partner Junior Nsemba to make an impact at Rugby League World Cup 202 as the pair reflected on their pride in representing England. 

Pearce-Paul played alongside Nsemba at Wigan before moving to the NRL and can't wait to see the 22-year-old unleashed in England's opening World Cup clash with Tonga at HBF Park on Saturday.

"He's a real star," Pearce-Paul said. "If you like exciting rugby, he's the sort of guy you want to be looking at.

"He's a halfback's worst nightmare. This year he's found some really good form and he's dominating at home."

Pearce-Paul and Nsemba share a path to international rugby league that has been far from conventional.

Growing up in London, a region dominated by soccer, Pearce-Paul played both rugby codes before committing to rugby league and pursuing a professional career.

At 18, Pearce-Paul relocated to rugby league's northern heartland to join Wigan - a move that paved the way to the NRL with the Newcastle Knights before joining Wests Tigers this year.

Nsemba’s route to the England squad also began with a change of sporting direction.

“I started off at football. To be honest, I enjoyed it but I just wasn’t very good at it,” he said.

“So I switched over to rugby (league), I didn’t know what rugby was, but my dad’s mate recommended it.

“Back then, I didn’t really look at the bigger picture apart from enjoying my time with my mates and getting the wins.

"I feel like I’ve worked pretty hard for this. From starting in a different sport and converting to rugby, and now I’m committed to getting to this World Cup and just showcasing the hard work I’ve put in.”

Driven by family, history and pride, representing England means far more than rugby league to Pearce-Paul, who views every appearance in the white jersey as an opportunity to honour his family's sacrifices.

"To play in front of my family after everything they've sacrificed for me is the proudest thing I can do," he said.

"As an English boy, playing for England is the pinnacle of anything you can achieve."

One of Kai Pearce-Paul's clearest memories from his England debut came before kick-off at the last Rugby League World Cup, when he looked into the crowd during the national anthem and saw his grandmother overcome with emotion.

"Seeing her up there, she was tearing up. Making her proud in that game is a moment that sticks with me forever," the Wests Tigers secondrower said.

When the anthem starts, I imagine my journey, recounting everything I've done to get to that moment.

With England kicking off their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on Saturday, Pearce-Paul will go head-to-head with Wests Tigers team-mate, Latu Fainu, who has been named to partner Isaiya Katoa in the halves.

"Tonga will be a great test for us. Especially with some of the players they've got and the combinations they've built," he said.

After a heartbreaking golden-point loss against Samoa in the semi-final at the 2023 World Cup, Pearce-Paul believes the new eligibility rules have deepened England's playing squad.

The squad has been strengthened by returning Newcastle winger Dominic Young, while 2026 premiership-winning Rooster Hugo Savala will make his Test debut in the centres.

The expanded player pool has enhanced England's depth, with Bulldogs prop Max King also making his Test debut and Titans utility AJ Brimson named to start at fullback.

"I think it'll be a different look for us," he said. "I always believe that England can win the World Cup."