Kayal Iro

Kayal Roy Iro (born 20 February 2000), also known by the nickname KL,^[4] is a Cook Islands professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League and the Cook Islands at international level.

KL Iro

Personal information
Full name	Kayal Roy Iro[1]
Born	(2000-02-20) 20 February 2000 (age 25) Leeds, England[note 1]
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022– Cronulla Sharks 34 16 0 0 64 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2019–23 Cook Islands 8 1 0 0 4 2019 Cook Islands 9s 2 2 0 0 8
Source: [1] As of 31 August 2025
Education	Mount Albert Grammar School
Father	Kevin Iro
Relatives	Tony Iro (uncle)

Background

Iro is the son of former player Kevin Iro and nephew of coach Tony Iro.^[5] 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.^[6][3]

Playing career

New Zealand Warriors

In 2019, Iro played for the New Zealand Warriors under 20s, before moving to the Newcastle Knights.^[5]

Newcastle Knights

On 12 November 2019, Iro signed a one-year under 20s contract with the Newcastle Knights.^[7]

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.^[8][9]

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.^[10][11]

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.^[12] 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.^[13] In round 2 of the 2025 NRL season, Iro scored two tries for Cronulla in their 36-12 victory over North Queensland.^[14]

International

Iro represented the Cook Islands in the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s, scoring two tries in a 30–7 victory against Tonga.^[15]

He made his full international début in the 66–6 win over South Africa on 21 June 2019 at fullback.^[16]

Statistics

NRL

*denotes season competing^[1]

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2022	Cronulla-Sutherland	1	0	0	—	0	0
2024		23	6				24
2025		6	7				28
Career totals		30	13	0	—	0	52

International

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2019	Cook Islands	2	0	0	—	0	0
2022	Cook Islands	4	1	0	—	0	4
2023	Cook Islands	2	0	0	—	0	0
Career totals		8	1	0	—	0	4