Wigan Warriors star reveals why he turned down offer from huge NRL club to join the Warriors
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock 12409487y Kai Pearce-Paul of Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves, Dacia Magic Weekend, Betfred Superleague, Rugby League, St James Park, Newcastle, UK - 05 Sep 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves, Dacia Magic Weekend, Betfred Superleague, Rugby League, St James Park, Newcastle, UK - 05 Sep 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xAnnaxGowthorpe/Shutterstockx 12409487y
Kai Pearce-Paul is set to leave Wigan Warriors at the end of the 2023 season.
He has been a terrific player for the club and is set for one more big year with the Cherry and Whites.
The club brought him up North from London and he has proven to be an amazing find by the Warriors.
However, at the time they had to fend of competition from the NRL to land the backrow / centre.
The player revealed as such himself speaking to the Daily Telegraph revealing that he was left with a choice between Wigan and huge NRL club the Melbourne Storm.
“It came to a point where I had to choose between Melbourne and Wigan,” Pearce-Paul said.
“That was a bigger jump to make … I was just turning 18 and hadn’t really been away from home before for a long time.
“Wigan was only two hours on a train away from home. As much as I think Melbourne Storm was a good option, Wigan were very keen and made it clear how much they wanted me.”
Now though he is headed to the NRL though with the Newcastle Knights who beat off competition from the Canterbury Bulldogs and new club The Dolphin to land the England international who made his test debut in the Rugby League World Cup against Greece as England won 94-4 in a game that underlined his quality.