Me, myself and Iro: Family pride spurs Captain KL

After being given the honour of captaining Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships, KL Iro revealed how he made a speech at school declaring that his ambition was to play for the Aitu.

Iro, whose famous father Kevin knew about the appointment before he did, turned down an approach from the Kiwis in favour of representing Cook Islands and he will now lead the Aitu against Fiji in Port Moresby on Saturday.

"This jersey means a lot to me," Iro said. "Me and my family can't see ourselves in any other jersey. This is what I always wanted to play in as a kid.

“To be named captain means a lot, especially for my family back home."

Iro was born in England while Kevin was playing for St Helens but spent much of his childhood growing up in Arorangi in Rarotonga, before moving to Auckland in pursuit of a rugby league career.

Despite also being eligible to play for New Zealand, Iro dreamed of following in footsteps of his father, who played for Cook Islands in 2000 and 2006, as well as serving as coach.

“Growing up he was a massive role model for me,” Iro said. “He trained me young as a kid and I always knew as a kid that this is what I wanted to do.

“I used to write speeches in school saying ‘I want to make the NRL one day’, but my first dream as a kid was always to represent Cook Islands, that's why Cook Islands will always be my No.1 pick.

“I'm happy to be here and happy to be playing NRL, but growing up, my dad was a massive role model.

“I always looked up to him and he's been a massive motivation coming into my career.”

The Sharks centre missed last year’s Pacific Championships due to injury, but is determined to help Cook Islands qualify for the next World Cup in 2026 by beating South Africa in a qualifying match at CommBank Stadium on November 9.

“I didn't get to put our colours on last year, so I'm happy … I was looking forward all year to get back into camp this year,” Iro said.

“I'm here this year, fit and healthy and ready to put on a job on the weekend.

“I promised boys that I'll lead on the field by my actions … I don't really speak too much, but I'll lead by my actions.”

As well as Iro, who played 14 games for the Sharks this season, Aitu coach Karmichael Hunt has named one of his most experienced line-ups to date, with premiership winner Brendan Piakura to line up in the back row.

Warriors forward Marata Niukore was also named in the extended squad for the Pacific Championships, but he won’t play in the opening game.

“They're other ones; they're going to be good leaders for us, especially for our middles and our young back-rowers coming up,” Iro said.

“We're going to lead our boys into battle and they're more actions guys as well.

“They don't speak too much, but once it gets to the game, then that's when you know they're switched on and all the boys are following their lead.

“They're massive additions to our squad and hopefully we just continue building our squad every year and, getting more boys back.”

While he remains in the squad, last year’s captain Brad Takairangi is injured and won’t feature in their opening match.

Takairangi’s sister Kiana will reprise her role as Vaine Moana skipper, leading the side against PNG Orchids whose team includes Eels teammates Elsie Albert, who will captain the home team, and rookie fullback Fleur Ginn.