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 Plans to Become Game’s Top Prop

Payne Haas is widely regarded as the best front-rower in rugby league. The player expected to replace him at the top of the props will face him on Sunday.

Naufahu Whyte’s Early Encounter with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

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, when COVID-19 was still impacting society, Whyte—then just 18—was brought from New Zealand on a train-and-trial deal with the Roosters. One day, while watching the NRL team 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, 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 only trained with his age group before and thought he knew what to expect, but this experience proved he was dealing with the toughest players.

“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 aims to establish himself as the game’s top prop and follow in the footsteps of players like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Payne Haas.

Author’s summary: Naufahu Whyte’s journey from a starstruck young player to a determined contender to become the top prop highlights his grit and respect for rugby league veterans.

The Age — 2025-11-08