Whyte Hot: Naufahu on JWH, Hairstyles, Eli Katoa, and Ambitions to Become Top Prop
Payne Haas is widely regarded as the best front-rower in the game. The player expected to replace him as the leading prop will face him on Sunday.
Early Encounter with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Roosters and New Zealand player Naufahu Whyte has lost track of how many times he has been compared to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. He vividly recalls their first meeting in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At just 18, Whyte arrived from New Zealand on a train-and-trial contract with the Roosters.
One day at training, Whyte went to watch the NRL squad, when coach Trent Robinson singled him out to join a drill. Reflecting on the moment, Whyte said:
“I remember feeling honoured and starstruck when looking around and seeing the likes of Jared, Isaac Liu and Sio Siua Taukeiaho.”
“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.”
“I had trained in my own age group and always knew what was coming, but at that very moment, I knew I was with the big dogs.”
“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 Forward
Whyte’s experience highlights his rapid rise and readiness to compete at the highest level, aiming to become the game's top prop.
Author’s summary: Naufahu Whyte recalls a defining moment meeting Jared Waerea-Hargreaves that shaped his aspirations to become rugby league’s leading prop.