Yesterday, along with Huddersfield Giants star Will Pryce, Kai Pearce-Paul’s move from Wigan Warriors to the Newcastle Knights in the NRL was confirmed.
He will join the club, alongside Pryce, on a two year deal from 2024 giving him one last season in Super League in 2023.
However, the Knights weren’t the only club chasing his signature with the Knights beating new NRL club The Dolphins led by former England and Great Britain boss Wayne Bennett as well as former St Helens boss Kristian Woolf whilst the Canterbury Bulldogs and Phil Gould were also interested according to the Daily Telegraph.
Speaking to the publication, Pearce-Paul opened up about the decision making process:
“I spoke to Wayne Bennett — he is a great guy as well,” Pearce-Paul said.
“He was very straight forward — he tells you exactly how it is and what he wants. I appreciate that in a person.
“It was interesting talking to Wayne and someone of his calibre. I spoke to (Dolphins recruitment guru Peter) O’Sullivan as well. It wasn’t easy deciding. It was quite late that I came to the final decisions.
“I was really stuck. All the options were really good options and I am really appreciative to have people of that calibre and experience in the sport wanting me.
“I was hard to choose.”
Things were made tougher when Gould also looked to bring him to the Bulldogs.
“He was pretty similar to Wayne,” Pearce-Paul said of Gould.
“He was pretty old school and tells you what he wants.”
In the end though he has made the move to the Knights for 2024 but the number of NRL clubs chasing him shows his class.
Warrington Wolves
Exiled Super League star makes rugby league return
Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess makes decision on future following South Sydney links
