On Saturday, one of Super League’s most exciting young players Kai Pearce-Paul made his England test debut at Bramall Lane against Greece.
The tall Wigan Warriors man started at centre on the right edge for England alongside Dom Young and, despite a tough start for KPP in which he was caught out for Greece’s only try of the game, the Wigan youngster shone with some delightful assists looking dangerous establishing himself into a real option for Shaun Wane.
KPP has made such an impression over the last two seasons that he is making waves both in England and down under.
The centre / backrow is expected to join Newcastle Knights in 2024 and those down under are excited to see him in the NRL describing him as “the English Sonny Bill Williams.”
On these comparisons, Pearce-Paul said: “I hear it a bit from my friends, I think it’s because I like to offload and it’s something he does, he’s a master of it really.
“I’ve had a few comparisons in my time, he was an unreal player who has done it all really and someone as a kid I looked up to.
“I don’t like to compare myself to others, if people want to do that they can but I’m my own player and I have a lot of respect for him.”
It will be interesting to see whether Pearce-Paul has done enough to force his way into England’s strongest 17 for the knockout stages where the only comparisons needed will be the other centres and backrows in the squad.