‘Val Meninga’: Dolphins debutant Valynce Te Whare becomes instant cult hero

A 108kg wrecking ball who had not played rugby league until last year has become an instant cult hero at Magic Round with a stunning debut.

Valynce Te Whare, remember the name. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

The NRL has a new cult hero as 108kg centre Valynce Te Whare burst onto the scene with a stunning debut in the Dolphins’ 36-16 thrashing of the Sharks.

The monstrous 22-year-old debutant had his first NRL match in the centres, despite having the measurements of a forward.

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Incredibly, he only converted from rugby union a year ago.

But he showed he was right at home on the edges, stunning with two tries and some excellent defence on the Sharks’ centre Siosifa Talakai.

In the 22nd minute to help the Dolphins to an 18-0 lead, Te Whare bustled his way over the line, slamming the ball down as his teammates and the fans went wild.

“Impossible to stop at close range. There are comparisons physically with an immortal, with Mal Meninga and that was an awesome run to get to the try line,” Dan Ginnane said.

Broncos legend Corey Parker was astounded by Te Whare’s size and strength.

“On debut, only moments ago he got stood up by Mulitalo. But have a look at this, from a standing start the power and acceleration,” he said.

“Bang see you later Mulitalo, straight through some good defenders. What a moment for the young man on debut.”

Doesn’t get better than this. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Fox League’s Lara Pitt added that Te Whare had been voted by his teammates as the man who would reach cult status upon his debut.

Ginnane added: “You can see the joy he brings. Talking about cult hero at the end of the season, his first grade career is just 24 minutes old — he’s a cult hero now.”

It’s hard to disagree as even Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett got in on the celebration.

Speaking on Friday, Bennett joked: “There is no way you can get that surname out in one mouthful so he is known as Val Smith around here.”

But he’d also been given the nickname “Val Meninga” by Dolphins fans.

“Val Meninga. I like that line,” Bennett continued.

“I saw that the other day and I thought, ‘What are the similarities between him and Mal Meninga?”

“I coached Mal. He is a great player and a great guy. I thought the only similarity was his shorts. I reckon they are both the same size. He is no Mal Meninga, I can tell you that.”

The Dolphins players were loving it. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But at an early age, he could still be if he maintains the form he showed in game one of his NRL career.

In the second half, he scored his second, with his teammates going mad for the young man after he slid in in the corner.

It wasn’t just about his attacking prowess that had fans raving either.

Val Te Whare shows the rugby league world how to tackle without using a hip drop.
Onya, Val.#NRLDolphinsSharks#MagicRoundpic.twitter.com/oyYFojSVOj

— Warren Smith (@WarrenSmithFOX) May 6, 2023

Great scenes with Valynce Te Whare and his family after the game. #NRLSharksDolphins

— Brad (@bradfogarty101) May 6, 2023

Hard to beat that as the best story of the weekend.

The groundsman at Dolphin Oval scores on debut in #MagicRound - Valynce Te Whare!

— QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) May 6, 2023

Scenes like this, of Valynce Te Whare embracing his family and friends, is what makes rugby league so great. Man I love this shit

— 😸 (@iam_rb01) May 6, 2023

Post-match, Te Whare said he’d had a “hard journey” after turning his back on rugby union for rugby league.

What a moment with his mum. Photo: Fox Sports

When asked about his mother, who was shedding tears in the crowd after he scored, Te Whare said: “It’s just been an awesome journey. I’m speechless at the moment.”

Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi said Te Whare had showed “just a glimpse of his potential”.

“He’s so big, so powerful, so fast for his size, and he scored two tonight. It’s a credit to our recruitment and seeing some potential. Just happy for him getting a start in the NRL.”

Bennett said Te Whare’s arrival at the Dolphins was “a bit of a good story”.

“He is one of the first players we signed here. (Recruitment manager) Peter O’Sullivan saw him in New Zealand playing rugby in the schoolboys,” he said.

“To his credit he has worked really hard and had to make a pretty big adaption from rugby to rugby league. We have invested quite a bit of time in him. It has worked out for both parties.”