Sunny intervals and light winds will welcome Kai Pearce-Paul back to Wigan on Sunday but after a scorching start to his NRL career the 23-year-old returns with plenty of reasons to turn up the heat.
Pearce-Paul is set to make his third start for England at the Brick Community Stadium in the first of two international tests against Samoa as Shaun Wane’s men look to extract some measure of revenge for their heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat in London two years ago.
The former Wigan centre, who fulfilled a long-time dream when he switched to Newcastle Knights at the end of the 2023 campaign, believes he is now better equipped for the big stage after sweating through a tough period of adjustment to life Down Under.
“It was definitely a little bit different for me going straight into the sun. Our first warm-up match in Fiji was one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced in my life – the humidity was 95 per cent and it obviously takes the body time to get used to situations like that.”
The 6f6 6ins centre had rocketed through the domestic ranks, joining Wigan in 2020 after starting out in amateur rugby league with the Croydon Hurricanes, and his exploits in cherry-and-white swiftly captured the attention of Australian clubs he had always dreamed of impressing.
“The same goes for playing for England. It’s something you joke about until it happens, and suddenly when I was standing there singing the anthem before the World Cup match against Greece, seeing my mum and my grandma in the stands, it was the proudest moment of my life.”
Sunday’s test against Samoa – England’s first action since they completed a 3-0 series whitewash of Tonga last year – will be followed by a second meeting at Headingley in Leeds next Saturday.
England boss Wane has plenty of big calls to make, not least whether it should be Wigan’s Harry Smith or Hull KR’s newly crowned Man of Steel Mikey Lewis who joins captain George Williams in the halves.
Either way Pearce-Paul, who watched his side’s agonising 27-26 defeat at the Emirates Stadium from the bench, said there is still plenty of desire from those squad members who remain from the World Cup disappointment to ensure they seize their chance second time around.
“It really hurt everyone at the time, and I guess this is our chance to get one back at them. It’s something you can either dwell on or take motivation from.
“We know Samoa are going to be strong again so we know what to expect and we’re ready for the challenge.”
