The Perth Bears have added two of the competition’s more intriguing young prospects to their roster, confirming 21-year-olds Te Hurinui ‘Apa’ Twidle and Kit Laulilii will join the club from 2027.
Twidle comes across from Parramatta on a three-year deal after a debut that turned heads with two tries against Wests Tigers in his first NRL appearance.
He came through the Eels’ junior pathways via SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup, and before that, Marsden State High School.
Laulilii has signed for two seasons after making his first-grade debut for the Tigers in 2023. A middle forward with size and skill, he’ll be joined in Perth by younger brother Luke — who was already in the Bears’ inaugural squad — making it a full family move west.
“We are a very close family and I’m extremely proud that Luke and I will have the chance to run out for the Perth Bears next season,” Laulilii said. “Mal [Meninga] spoke so passionately about what he wants to build in Perth, and it got our whole family excited about the opportunity to build our life in Western Australia.”
Head coach Meninga has been doing plenty of selling, and the Bears will be hopeful it lands a few more guns over the coming months.
Twidle said he’s drawn to the chance to develop under Meninga’s staff, while Meninga described him as a “prodigious talent” with the work ethic to make an immediate impact.
Of Laulilii, Meninga noted he’s returning from injury but has already shown enough to suggest he belongs at this level — and acknowledged the significance of the family uprooting to come west.
Head to perthbears.com.au for the latest.
Image Credit: NRL Photos, Perth Bears