Kayal Iro knew his opportunity would eventually come at the Sharks and the undefeated rising star is making the most of it with the NRL‘s top-ranked side.
After making his debut for Cronulla in 2022 – the same year he won the NSW Cup player of the year award – Iro was overlooked for the entirety of last season by the club.
It prompted question marks over his future in the Shire and what more the 24-year-old needed to do in order to get himself in the good graces of coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
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But when his chance came earlier this year in the centres, Iro took it with both hands and has been the good luck charm for the Sharks, who haven’t lost a game since he returned to the line-up and cemented his spot.
Speaking after the side’s win against the Roosters at Magic Round, the humble Cook Islands international explained why he never doubted Fitzgibbon’s plans.
”I think it’s probably just getting me in the right mindset – he [Fitzgibbon] always told me to trust that when my chance comes, that I will take it and be ready,” Iro said.
“It’s pretty crazy, the boys are on a roll at the moment … I guess I’m just lucky.
“I still feel like I haven’t cemented a spot yet and every week I’m still fighting.
“I’ve just been working my way in Cup and now that I’ve got some games under my belt in the NRL, hopefully I can just keep growing and getting my confidence here.
“I can’t take all the credit, full credit goes to the boys really … I know everyone says it, but it actually is that way.”
Iro has broken 29 tackles and averaged over 160 run metres per game in seven first grade appearances this year and was at his classy best on Saturday night.
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Centre partner Jesse Ramien was full of praise for Iro and acknowledged the patient approach from the club could have backfired if he didn’t get a chance in the NRL.
“It just shows the depth that we’ve got at the club,” Ramien told Wide World of Sports.
“He could have easily went to another club and got a start somewhere else – but to bide his time, wait and come in and do what he’s doing [has been great].
“You’ve still got Sifa [Talakai] there and we all know what he’s done in the centres and what he can do to a game – it goes to show the level of depth we’ve got at the club.
“We’re all super pumped for him, you see the energy he brings to the team and especially when you first get that initial buzz of coming in and being a starter in an NRL side … Kayal is experiencing that now.
“We love his energy and what he’s doing on the field – he has got a lot ahead of him.”
The decision to keep Iro in the centres has allowed Talakai to move closer to the middle of the field, bringing a greater balance to the ladder-leading Sharks this year.
Cronulla will face another huge test in round 12 when they take on the reigning premiers Penrith, with the likes of Ramien and Nicho Hynes pushing for State of Origin selection.