Rumoured / Confirmed Signings

[R-15-3]

Can see Ronnie getting in Luai face all game

 

[Don Tweddle]

Iro signs on at the Sharks until 2024​

A standout with the Newtown Jets this season in their climb into first position on the KOE NSW Cup ladder, young outside back Kayal Iro has signed a new contract with the Sharks, one that ties him to the Cronulla Club through until the end of the 2024 season.

Iro, who played for the Cook Islands against Samoa in the recent Pacific Test match, has been promoted into the Sharks top 30 for the remainder of the 2022 season and then becomes a member of the full-time NRL squad for the two years to follow.

An aggressive ball runner and strong defender, Iro was pleased to have secured his immediate playing future and was looking forward to what the next few seasons might bring.

“I’m very happy and stoked to be here for the next couple of years,” Iro said. “I’m pleased to get it done so now I can focus on my next job and to hopefully get a run (in the NRL) under Fitzy.”

After seeing limited game time in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup competitions over the past few years due to the Covid disruptions, the 2022 season has seen the 22-year-old Iro amongst the leading players for a Newtown team sitting in first place on the points table.

In 16 matches for the Jets so far this year he has scored 11 tries, while Iro also features in a number of other statistical categories, where he is first in run metres for the entire competition, almost 200 metres clear of the second-placed player, and fourth for line breaks.

With an impressive pedigree, as the son of Kiwi international Kevin, Iro has already tasted international rugby league in representing the Cook Islands a month or so ago, in what was a proud moment for him and his family.

“I’m a proud Cook Islander, it was a real emotional week. My father and my brother came over, it was the first time I’d seen them in two years,” he said. “I grew up in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. My dad was a big name, so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and make him proud.”

Iro joins he likes of fellow young guns in Jesse Colquhoun and Tom Hazelton, in addition to the likes of Matt Moylan, Jack Williams and Braden Hamlin-Uele, to have recently signed contract extensions as the Sharks build a roster for next season and beyond.

Kayal Iro – Fact File
Date of Birth – 20-2-2000
Height – 185cm
Weight – 94kgs
Junior Club – Arorangi Bears
Representative – Cook Islands 2022 Pacific Test

 

[Tiger Shark]

Good news. Takes Talakais spot in the centres next year imo

 

[crazy pineapple]

mate hes level headed and determined he's gunna be pushing for a spot.

take your time lad, you're pedigree will get you there

 

[chewsta]

Good signing, I thought he was heading overseas a month or so back?
He's bashing down the door for an NRL debut, I'm pleasantly surprised we managed to hold on to him to be honest.

 

[crazy pineapple]

squad management is A+ at the moment

everyone else unsigned can fight for a spot

 

[crazy pineapple]

if he didnt sign with us uncle tony would have got him a gig at the warriors

im stoked he chose to go forward with us. It's a pure statement of where fitzys leading us, along with Hazelton and Colqhoun, if you earn it, you deserve it.

no more paying overs for over rated players, we have players wanting to play for us

 

[Stake Removed]

Also Iro been moved into top 30 for rest of the year

 

[Dragon Slayer]

if he didnt sign with us uncle tony would have got him a gig at the warriors

im stoked he chose to go forward with us. It's a pure statement of where fitzys leading us, along with Hazelton and Colqhoun, if you earn it, you deserve it.

no more paying overs for over rated players, we have players wanting to play for us

You mean no more over paying for selfish , injury prone , overrated players like Josh Dugan and Shaun Johnson.

Hell Yeah put me down for that.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

You mean no more over paying for selfish , injury prone , overrated players like Josh Dugan and Shaun Johnson.

Hell Yeah put me down for that.

What about signing up and coming players like bryson goodwin and will chambers?

 

[shaggs]

Say what you like about duges, but that bloke put his body on the line for every possession. He ran hard and tackled hard. Never once was his attempt less than 100%.
Too bad his body couldn’t handle the rigours of NRL.
I have no idea why someone would suggest he was selfish. How the duck was he selfish and what did he do?

SJ on the other had all the skills in the world yet played In a tuxedo. Never put himself in the tough position. I can’t believe he is holding his spot at the warriors

 

[bluefox68]

Life as a Sharks fan is GOOD…!!!

 

[ghoti]

Say what you like about duges, but that bloke put his body on the line for every possession. He ran hard and tackled hard. Never once was his attempt less than 100%.
Too bad his body couldn’t handle the rigours of NRL.
I have no idea why someone would suggest he was selfish. How the duck was he selfish and what did he do?

SJ on the other had all the skills in the world yet played In a tuxedo. Never put himself in the tough position. I can’t believe he is holding his spot at the warriors

Agreed! (The end of his final season notwithstanding). Guy fought for everything and tried his f**ken heart out.. and had to put up with media myths his whole career, calling him injury prone when he'd play 80% of a season, that kinda shit drove me nuts as a fan must have been hard on him. Big love for the Duges, one of those guys that I wish had a bit less hype behind him so he could stay outta the limelight on smaller contracts... The big ones he secured made the press and fans f**kedn kennntsss

 

[txta2]

Bit of a Shame Dugan was here during that period. He'd be a pretty good fit in his prime right now

 

[coolumsharkie]

Dugan definitely gave his all but Jesus wept he let everyone know about it, wincing in pain frequently and looking up to the sky. Glad to see the back of him.

 

[Special K]

Interesting Iro is in the top 30 now - I reckon there is a chance he debuts on the wing this weekend in a like for like swap. Also I wonder if it means we are open to letting someone like Hiroti go early(don't buy that storm are interested thing that was just a reporter tossing names up based on players not being used).

Also agree on Dugan for the most part. He went 100 miles an hour and just messed himself up but the problem was he was averaging 72 minutes a game which for a back causes all sorts of issues. His last season with us was just a total shit show and distraction. I am happy we don't have dickheads like that around the joint anymore.

 

[DJDL]

Interesting Iro is in the top 30 now - I reckon there is a chance he debuts on the wing this weekend in a like for like swap.

I thought he had to be named in the extended squad for that to happen. He's not there, but Dykes and Ikuvalu are.
It's a shame, because I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give him a run. Maybe the fact it's against the Panthers is why they've held him back.

 

[Stake Removed]

Interesting Iro is in the top 30 now - I reckon there is a chance he debuts on the wing this weekend in a like for like swap. Also I wonder if it means we are open to letting someone like Hiroti go early(don't buy that storm are interested thing that was just a reporter tossing names up based on players not being used).

Also agree on Dugan for the most part. He went 100 miles an hour and just messed himself up but the problem was he was averaging 72 minutes a game which for a back causes all sorts of issues. His last season with us was just a total shit show and distraction. I am happy we don't have dickheads like that around the joint anymore.

Now ay Iro debuts against Panthers I would say in a couple weeks yes

 

[Tiger Shark]

Interesting Iro is in the top 30 now - I reckon there is a chance he debuts on the wing this weekend in a like for like swap. Also I wonder if it means we are open to letting someone like Hiroti go early(don't buy that storm are interested thing that was just a reporter tossing names up based on players not being used).

Also agree on Dugan for the most part. He went 100 miles an hour and just messed himself up but the problem was he was averaging 72 minutes a game which for a back causes all sorts of issues. His last season with us was just a total shit show and distraction. I am happy we don't have dickheads like that around the joint anymore.

Absolute zero chance he debuts on this wing imo. First of all he hasn't been named in the extended team at all, so would need NRL dispensation to play, doubt they'll do that when they have Tracey.

And 2 no way you give a rookie his first game against the Panthers.

He'll get some games this year but for lesser teams imo.

Also think he's more a centre than winger but can cover the wing

 

[ghoti]

I can't see a way that Iro plays this year tbh.. way down the depth chart. Maybe if we secure a top 4 spot and rest some guys with niggling injuries at the end of the season but that doesn't feel like a Fitzy move