{"id":406259,"date":"2026-05-01T06:26:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T06:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/406259\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T06:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T06:26:12","slug":"perth-bears-hit-back-with-confirmed-double-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/406259\/","title":{"rendered":"Perth Bears hit back with confirmed double signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Perth Bears<\/a> have officially announced the signing of Apa Twidle<\/a> from the Parramatta Eels<\/a> and Kit Laulilii<\/a> from the Wests Tigers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 18th franchise has hit back after the historic announcement of Jarome Luai<\/a> signing with the PNG Chiefs<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The two rising stars will make the trip to the west as Mal Meninga<\/a> looks to fill his Top 30 roster ahead of their entry into the competition.<\/p>\n

Laulilii has signed on for two years, meanwhile Twidle will be a Bear until at least 2029 on a three-year contract.<\/p>\n

Kit will join younger brother Luke, who signed a two-year deal in January to relocate to the west.<\/p>\n

Twidle, the Easter Monday superstar, incredibly scored two tries on his NRL<\/a> debut for the Eels, with his first touch resulting in a four-pointer.<\/p>\n

The Kiwi-born young gun backed up minutes later for a second try against the Wests Tigers<\/a> in a boisterous CommBank Stadium.<\/p>\n

Twidle had this to say about the Perth Bears<\/a> giving him an opportunity to develop his game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue my development under Mal and his staff at the Perth Bears<\/a>,” Twidle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bears have recruited a strong roster so far and I’m excited about the prospect of moving across to Perth and making the most of every opportunity, both on and off the field.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Kit couldn’t pass up the opportunity of connecting with his brother on the paddock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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<\/a> next season\u201d, Laulilii said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMal 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<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a personal point of view, I know what I’m capable of on the field and I can’t wait to run out for the Bears in 2027\u201d.<\/p>\n

With fears that players wouldn’t be enticed to make the move to Perth, it comes as a great double signing to breathe life back into the Bears’ inaugural campaign.<\/p>\n

The Bears will officially kick off their campaign in November this year ahead of a massive maiden 2027 season.<\/p>\n

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