Kayal Roy Iro (born 20 February 2000) is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Kayal Roy Iro[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Leeds, England[note 1] | 20 February 2000|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 94 kg (14 st 11 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 28 September 2024 |
Background
editIro is the son of former player Kevin Iro and nephew of coach Tony Iro.[4] 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.[5][3]
Playing career
editNew Zealand Warriors
editIn 2019, Iro played for the New Zealand Warriors under 20s, before moving to the Newcastle Knights.[4]
Newcastle Knights
editOn 12 November 2019, Iro signed a one-year under 20s contract with the Newcastle Knights.[6]
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
editIn round 24 of the 2022 NRL season, Iro made his first grade debut for Cronulla in their 16-0 victory over Canterbury.[7][8]
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.[9][10]
On 25 July 2024, it was announced that Iro had re-signed with the Sharks on a 2 year extension until the end of the 2026 season.[11]
International
editIro represented the Cook Islands in the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s, scoring two tries in a 30–7 victory against Tonga.[12]
He made his full international début in the 66–6 win over South Africa on 21 June 2019 at fullback.[13]
Statistics
editNRL
edit- *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 | ||||
Career totals | 24 | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 24 |
International
editSeason | 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 |
Notes and references
editNotes
edit- ^ The Guardian reported Iro's birthplace as the Cook Islands, quoting his father Kevin.[2] NRL.com stated that Iro was born in England while Kevin was playing for St Helens in the Super League.[3] Rugby League Project lists his birthplace as Leeds, England.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Career Stats & Summary - Kayal Iro". Rugby League Project.
- ^ Gallan, Daniel (23 October 2022). "'My focus has shifted': Kevin Iro on evolving from rugby league star to ocean advocate". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ a b Mee, Cameron (2 August 2024). "How Iro hopes to change the game for Cook Islands juniors". NRL.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Warriors lose Kayal Iro, son of Kevin Iro, to Newcastle Knights". Stuff. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ Thomas Tarurongo Wynne (6 November 2019). "Barefoot boy to world spotlight". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Knights sign Cook Islands gun Iro". www.newcastleknights.com.au. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "South Sydney defeats North Queensland 20-10 to confirm NRL finals berth as Cronulla, Canberra post wins". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ Melina Etches (30 August 2022). "Kayal Iro debuts as Cronulla Shark #555". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ Gibbs, Tom (15 September 2022). "Iro reveals simple formula behind Jets' superb season". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Tedesco scoops the pool at Brad Fittler Medal". nswrl.com.au. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Iro inks two-year Sharks extension". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Encarnacion, Matt (19 October 2019). "Kukis rookie made of good stock: Iro". 7News.
- ^ Matt Encarnacion (21 October 2019). "Kukis rookie made of good stock: Iro". Namoi Valley Independent. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
External links
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