Whyte hot: Naufahu on JWH, hairstyles, Eli Katoa, and plans to become the game’s top prop
Payne Haas is widely considered the best front-rower in rugby league. The player expected to replace him as the top prop will face him on Sunday.
Naufahu Whyte’s journey and first encounter with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Roosters and New Zealand forward Naufahu Whyte has lost count of the times he has been compared to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. He vividly recalls their first meeting at the end of 2020, during the COVID pandemic. At just 18, Whyte was brought to Australia on a train-and-trial contract with the Roosters.
One day, while watching an NRL training session, Roosters coach Trent Robinson called Whyte out to join a drill. 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.”
Whyte trained in his own age group and was accustomed to the challenges, but facing professionals like Waerea-Hargreaves was a different level:
“At that very moment, I knew I was with the big dogs. None of the boys came and helped me get up.”
After the drill, during recovery, Jared approached Whyte, shook his hand, and said:
“Nice to meet you, bro.”
This encounter marked a significant milestone early in Whyte’s career, inspiring him to rise among the sport’s elite forwards.
Author’s summary: Naufahu Whyte’s powerful introduction to the NRL and his early encounter with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves highlight his determination to become the game’s leading prop.