Whyte hot: Naufahu on JWH, hairstyles, Eli Katoa, and plans to become game’s top prop

Whyte Hot: Naufahu on JWH, Hairstyles, Eli Katoa, and Ambitions as a Top Prop

Payne Haas is widely recognized as the best front-rower in rugby league. On Sunday, his potential successor will face him in an intense matchup.

Naufahu Whyte’s Early Encounter with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Roosters player and New Zealand enforcer Naufahu Whyte has lost track of how often he’s been compared to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. He vividly recalls their first meeting at the end of 2020.

During a time when COVID-19 was disrupting society, the 18-year-old Whyte arrived from New Zealand on a train-and-trial contract with the Roosters. One day, as he watched the NRL team's training, coach Trent Robinson unexpectedly invited him to join a 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.

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’.”

This moment marked a turning point, highlighting Whyte’s transition from youth competitions to competing among top-level players.

Looking Ahead

Whyte is determined to build on these experiences and aims to become the premier prop in the game.

Author's summary: Naufahu Whyte’s journey from an 18-year-old newcomer to a rising prop demonstrates his resilience and determination to become one of rugby league’s best front-rowers.

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The Age The Age — 2025-11-08

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