Kayal Iro

Kayal Roy Iro (born 20 February 2000), also known as KL Iro, is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a and er for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League.

Background Iro is the son of former player Kevin Iro and nephew of coach Tony Iro. He grew up in Rarotonga where he played for the Arorangi Bears, then moved to Auckland at age 14 and attended Mount Albert Grammar School.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks In round 24 of the 2022 NRL season, Iro made his first grade debut for Cronulla in their 16-0 victory over Canterbury.

Iro won the New South Wales Cup player of the year for the 2022 NSW Cup season while playing for the Newtown Jets, the reserve grade affiliate of the Sharks.

On 25 July 2024, it was announced that Iro had re-signed with the Cronulla club on a two-year extension until the end of the 2026 season. Iro played 23 games for Cronulla in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. Iro played in all three of Cronulla's finals matches including their preliminary final loss against Penrith.

2025 In round 2 of the 2025 NRL season, Iro scored two tries for Cronulla in their 36-12 victory over North Queensland. On 9 September, Cronulla announced that Iro had extended his contract until the end of 2029. Iro played 14 matches for Cronulla in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 5th on the table.

2026 In round 9 of the 2026 NRL season, Iro scored a hat-trick in Cronulla's 52-10 victory over the Wests Tigers.

International Iro represented the in the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s, scoring two tries in a 30–7 victory against .

He made his full international début in the 66–6 win over South Africa on 21 June 2019 at .

Statistics NRL denotes season competing

SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts 2022 Cronulla-Sutherland 1 0 0 — 0 02024 2360—024202514120—048202619120—048 Career totals 57 30 0 — 0 120

International SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts 2019 Cook Islands 2 0 0 — 0 0 2022 Cook Islands 4 1 0 — 0 4 2023 Cook Islands 2 0 0 — 0 0 2025 Cook Islands 2 1 0 — 0 4 Career totals 10 2 0 — 0 8

Notes and references