Whyte hot: Naufahu on JWH, hairstyles, Eli Katoa, and plans to become game’s top prop
Payne Haas is widely regarded as the best front-rower in the game. The player expected to replace him among the top props will face him this Sunday.
Naufahu Whyte’s Early Days with the Roosters
Roosters and New Zealand enforcer Naufahu Whyte has lost count of how many times he has been compared to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. He vividly recalls the first time they met at the end of 2020. At just 18 years old, Whyte was brought over from New Zealand on a train-and-trial deal amid the challenges of COVID-19.
One day, as he watched the NRL side train, Roosters coach Trent Robinson singled him out to join a training drill.
“I remember feeling honoured and starstruck when looking around and seeing the likes of Jared, Isaac Liu and Sio Siua Taukeiaho,” Whyte said. “I then took my first carry and got absolutely pumped. I didn’t know who had hit me at the time, but I got smoked. To my surprise, I looked up and it was Jared. He just stood over me, gave me that look, and didn’t say a word. I was like, ‘did that bro just hit me?’ He hit me so hard. I’m pretty certain it was shoulder to mouth.”
Whyte had trained with players his own age and thought he knew what to expect, but that moment made him realize he was now competing with the elite.
“None of the boys came and helped me get up. Then we were doing recovery and Jared came up, shook my hand, and said, ‘nice to meet you, bro’.”
Looking Ahead
Whyte is determined to rise through the ranks and become one of the game’s top props, setting his sights on matching the impact of veterans like Waerea-Hargreaves and Haas.
Author’s summary: Naufahu Whyte reflects on his formative moment with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, highlighting his ambition to become the leading prop in rugby league.
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