Wigan’s Kai Pearce-Paul will not let St Helens friendships count for anything
KAI Pearce-Paul is ready to put the dividing walls up to keep out his former St Helens room-mates as rugby league’s greatest rivalry is re-united.
The Wigan star ended up bonding with those on the other side of the game that gave the very term derby while on England duty with the World Cup.
But today there will be no friendly banter as the Warriors look to get one over the world champions, even though he admits they are all right really.
Londoner Pearce-Paul, who hails from Bromley, said: “The only players I roomed with on England camp were Saints players – Tommy Makinson, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Jack Welsby and Matty Lees!
“Before I met them, I just saw them as a Saints player and one I wanted to play well and compete against.
“But it was nice to get to know them. Jack and I are of a similar age, so we had a bit more in common, mutual friends and mutual interests.
“They’re really nice people but when it comes to game time, it’s a different story.
“I’ve 100 per cent bought into the rivalry now. Now it’s no surprise how big it is and playing Saints as a Wigan player is always intense.
“And having watched Super League since I was a youngster, Wigan-Saints was always a game that was spoken about highly.
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“Having come to Wigan, I learned more about the history and having played in them, it gave me more of an inset of how great it is and what to expect.
“Wigan’s the team I represent and one I’m proud to be a part of, so I do buy into the rivalry. If you don’t, you could be left behind.”
Upwards of 23,000 people are expected to watch Wigan take on St Helens, who are aiming for a fifth straight Super League title.
But rather than send back rower Pearce-Paul into his shell, that will see the 6ft 5ins star, who is heading to the NRL next year, grow.
The 22-year-old added: “With the added crowds, roaring on both sides, it’s always intense but big crowds bring more out of me as a player.
“There’s no better feeling when you go through the tough periods in a game, like defending your goal line, when you’ve got the crowd cheering you on.
“It reminds you where you are and how much of a huge game it is. It almost snaps you back into reality and adds to your focus.”
While local bragging rights are on the line, Wigan also know victory would see them conquer the world champions after Saints defeated NRL premiers Penrith in the World Club Challenge.
And Pearce-Paul has an admission, he was backing them.
He told SunSport: “Saints winning that match was awesome for the English game. It showed teams here stand a chance against the NRL sides.
“I’m pretty sure all of England was cheering them on because of how it looked for our sport!”