UPDATE: Cronulla Sharks’ rising star KL Iro is set to make a significant impact in the NRL preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm this Friday, July 15, 2023. Drawing on a childhood of fierce competition in the Cook Islands, Iro is ready to showcase his explosive talent on one of rugby league’s biggest stages.
At just 25 years old, Iro has transformed from the “Poto” — Maori for small — to a formidable force at 186 cm and 97 kg. He is known for his speed and power, attributes honed in the aggressive leagues of the Cook Islands, where he often played against older opponents.
“I feel like that made me braver,” Iro said in an interview with AAP. “I wanted to take on the big fellas and test myself.” His experience playing for the Arorangi Bears as a child has shaped his fearless approach to the game, even when he was often the smallest player on the field.
Since making his debut in 2022, Iro has been a standout performer for the Sharks, scoring an impressive 17 tries in 37 games. His journey from a young underdog to a key player has resonated with fans and teammates alike, who refer to themselves as a team that comes “from the trenches.”
The Sharks have been on a solid winning streak, losing only once in their last 10 games, conceding an average of just 14 points per match. This resurgence in defense will be crucial as they face a powerful Storm offense.
“We’re working hard for each other,” Iro emphasized. “We’ve found our confidence and we’ve been playing with it, and that has shown a lot.” This camaraderie and hard work could be the key to their success against Melbourne.
As the Sharks prepare for this critical match, all eyes will be on Iro, whose determination and skill may be the spark needed to propel them to the NRL Grand Final. Fans are eager to see if this underdog can rise to the occasion once more.
Stay tuned for updates as the Sharks gear up for this high-stakes showdown!
