Eagle-eyed Sharks fans will have noticed a familiar yet new name listed in the No.4 jersey on today's Magic Round team sheet: KL Iro.
Known until now as Kayal, the 25-year-old Iro has decided to go by his unofficial birth name of KL – the initials of his father, former Kiwis star Kevin Leslie Iro.
Iro, who will return from a hamstring injury against the Eels on Friday night, has intended to make the switch for a few years and feels the time is now right.
"When I was a baby, KL was originally my first name. But my mum wouldn't let me leave the hospital until we changed it, so she changed the spelling of it," Iro said.
"All my life, my dad would write KL ... When I moved over here (to Australia), my dad always wanted me to change it, but I've just been too shy to bring it up."
Iro hopes the change will eliminate confusion about how to say his first name.
"I feel like it's just easier to see and easier for people to pronounce," Iro said, clarifying that his name will remain Kayal on his official documentation.
"It's just KL – that's how it's pronounced. It's probably just more memorable too.
"People will know me by my proper name."
The dynamic centre will slot into the team for the first time since Round 4 as the Sharks kick off the Magic Round festivities at Suncorp Stadium.
After claiming Cronulla's 2024 NRL Rookie of the Year award, the Cook Islands international was on fire prior to his injury this season with five tries in four games.
