He's already broken into the NRL, but Naufahu Whyte isn't content with playing a handful of games in the top grade - and is taking a studious approach to training each and every day.
Following his debut in Round 22 last season, and upon reflecting on his rookie season - which saw him relocate to Queensland with the NRL squad and feature in three matches at the back end of the season - Whyte believes he is on an upward trajectory in the Tricolours.
Fulfilling a childhood dream and doing so in the Red, White and Blue made it all the more special.
“It was a really good experience,” he said.
“To be able to achieve my childhood dream was something I was looking forward to. I wanted to achieve it for so long and it was such an honour to play last year.
“To do it alongside this Club, there were many players I looked up to growing up, seeing them on tv and to be able to make my debut alongside those players, it was the best feeling ever. I couldn’t explain how better it could have been.
“It’s my second year and to be honest I can say I’ve learned a lot from last year. I feel like I’m growing as a player and I’m getting better. There are some new faces and it’s good to just get amongst the older boys once again.
“Each day they teach you and they better you as a player.”
Whyte: "I'm Growing as a Player"
In his long search for self-improvement as both a player and person, the 19-year-old has been in the ears of his teammates all pre-season long; in particular his fellow back rowers in Angus Crichton, Sitili Tupouniua and Nat Butcher.
Following their lead, Whyte also conceded that he still has plenty of improvement in his game.
“It’s really the best,” he beamed.
“I look up to Gus, I look up to Tili and Nat. For them to play in my position, at the end of the day - as a younger player - you want to learn from the best and that’s what they give me each training day.
“I always ask them, even those little things. They better my game and develop me as a player. That’s the thing I like here – there are no egos, none of the boys feel like they are above the younger ones.
“They want everyone to get on the same level. Every day, they can tell you themselves, I’m just always in their ear asking what I can do better and what can I improve on. You truly couldn’t ask for any better backrowers to learn from.
“I feel like this year I’ve developed myself, I can always get better and there’s plenty of improvement but I’m looking forward to the season ahead."
I want to make that team each and every week. It would mean everything, that’s my ultimate goal.
Naufahu Whyte Rooster #1205
While the Round 1 clash against the Newcastle Knights is just over a week away, 'Fahu' has had his fair share of game time already in 2022, featuring in the side's two trial matches - finding himself on the board against the Canberra Raiders with a trademark tearaway run.
But he is far from satisfied with just a starting spot in the side's warm-up games - he wants to be donning the Club's colours every single opportunity he gets.
“Getting on the field is the best thing," he said of the recent trial matches.
“There were a lot of learnings I took from it, and a lot of stuff I want to improve on as a player heading into the season. It was just good to get a hitout and get rid of the rust.
"To lace up with the boys once again, ending pre-season you just want to get out there. But it was good to get my first two hit-outs done and dusted. There’s plenty I can work on and plenty to improve on for the season to come.
Whyte Breaks Through
“I want to make that team each and every week. It would mean everything, that’s my ultimate goal.
“Each training day I go out there to do my best in order to cement a spot there, but at the end of the day, whether I’m playing or not, if one of the boys falls, I’m ready to go.
“I’m just doing whatever I can, but making the seventeen is my main goal each week.”
Following Trent Robinson's five-year extension, Whyte was full of praise of his head coach, and is looking forward to continuing his affiliation with the three-time Premiership winner.
“He’s taught me a lot," he said.
“For me, he’s one of the best to coach in this game. To be learning from the likes of him betters you as a player.
“As a man off the field too, he teaches you so much. He’s always on me at most of the training (sessions) but I wouldn’t have it any different. Each time he tells me what to do, it betters myself, betters my game and improves me to be the best I can be.
“To have him for the next five years, I truly can’t wait to continue that connection for the next coming years. I’m really excited.”
