In the lead-up to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, the Cook Islands national team has received a major boost with the potential return of former Australian representative Valentine Holmes, who is recovering from an ankle injury.
Holmes suffered the injury while playing for St George Illawarra against Parramatta, raising worries about a serious syndesmosis issue that could sideline him from the tournament.
However, Cook Islands captain KL Iro expressed optimism about Holmes's recovery after a recent assessment indicated it might only be a low-grade sprain. "I think it's a low-grade sprain so he'll be sweet to go," Iro mentioned, reflecting his relief following the diagnosis.
As a player with family ties to both New Zealand and the Cook Islands, Iro has a deep connection to representing his heritage. He noted, "It's massive for me because I grew up there, so my heart is tied to there." Iro's trajectory includes 11 Tests for the Kuki Airani and a desire to honor his family legacy in international rugby.
Looking ahead, the Cook Islands will kick off their World Cup journey against Fiji on October 18 at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium. However, Iro is currently focused on his NRL commitments with Cronulla, where they are preparing for the elimination finals after two years of making it to the preliminary rounds.
Despite a shaky end to the regular season, with the Sharks losing three of their last four games, Iro remains positive. "You don't look at the past but focus on what's in front of you," he asserted. Iro hopes to regain his try-scoring form, noting, "I hope so because I haven't scored one (try) in a while."