‘Challenge I’m keen to accept’: Naufahu Whyte has become a ‘beast’ in 2025

Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu are the big names in the Roosters pack, but Naufahu Whyte is the form front-rower and ready to take on Addin Fonua-Blake.

Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte hopes that one day TV networks can include front-row rivalries in their pre-game graphics instead of focusing on playmakers, but he’s more than happy to let his footy do the talking when he goes up against one of the big dogs in the NRL on Friday night.

Whyte is in career-best form and was recently rewarded with an extension that’ll keep him at the club until the end of the 2029 season.

He plays in a pack with State of Origin representatives Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu, but the Kiwis star has arguably been the club’s best prop this year after getting the chance to replace legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the starting side.

He’s relished battles up front against Payne Haas and James Fisher-Harris, but he now has his eyes set on Sharks superstar Addin Fonua-Blake when the teams come together on Friday night in a game that has major finals implications.

The battle between Addin Fonua-Blake and Naufahu Whyte could decide Friday’s match. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

“My respect goes out to all the top dogs out there because front row isn’t an easy position. Players that do it every week by leading the pack deserve their respect,” he said.

“It’s always good to go up against the likes of Payne Haas, Joe Tapine, James Fisher-Harris, Terrell May and now it’s another challenge with Addin Fonua-Blake.

“Much respect to him, but when I cross that white line, it’s a challenge for me and a challenge I’m keen to accept.”

Young forwards like Taylor Losalu, Blake Steep and Salesi Foketi have played key roles for the Roosters in 2025, but Whyte has been their most dominant big man in the middle.

Whyte has become one of the best props in the NRL this season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

He’s averaging about 20 more minutes per game than he played in 2023, while his running metres have more than doubled from 70m per game to 143m this year, with Whyte cracking triple digits in every match since round 1.

He had 231m against the Tigers earlier this month and credits coach Trent Robinson for trusting him to deliver after patiently waiting for his opportunity.

“He has stepped into that leadership role with Jared and a few other players going,” teammate Egan Butcher said.

“He’s got such a calming presence for a front-rower, but I know that when he takes the field that he’s going to take control and be the beast that he is.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen a massive change in him, but I always know that he’s never going to shy away from a challenge and he’ll own his battle whoever he comes up against.”

The undermanned Roosters stunned the Sharks earlier this season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Roosters have quietly risen to eighth spot but are one of several teams fighting for a place in the finals.

They are level on points with the Sharks who concede they were “embarrassed” when the teams met earlier in the year, with the Roosters beating them 42-16 despite being without their Origin stars, Whyte and a few others.

“It was a special win,” Butcher said.

“I feel like people may have written us off before that game with Origin players out, and people may have thought we had a depleted side.

“But that’s what I love about this club. When the next people step up, we don’t take a backwards step and we try to stick it to teams.”