As seen on Stuff.co.nz by Mat Kermeen
Playing for New Zealand against Tonga in his home town is as big as it gets for new Kiwi Naufahu Whyte, yet his major motivator for Saturday night is only little.
When Whyte, who is of Tongan heritage and who grew up in Auckland, runs onto Mt Smart Stadium, for just his second test, in front of his extended family, he will take a moment to think of who won’t be there.
The 22-year-old is currently separated from his two staunchest supporters and major inspirations, partner Hope and 18-month-old daughter Athaliah, who are currently Brisbane-based.
“Everything I do is just to give my little girl a better life,” Whyte told Stuff.
“My little family, they are everything to me,” he said. “My partner has sacrificed a lot for me to be here today and I’m grateful to have her.”
Whyte is desperate to beat Tonga this week to qualify for the Pacific Championships final on November 10 against the Kangaroos to give the Kiwis a shot at defending their title. Just as important, Hope and Athaliah would be in the stands, with the pair set to fly to Sydney if the Kiwis beat Tonga to make the decider.
The Sydney Roosters forward made an impression even bigger than his solid frame during his outstanding Kiwis debut in the 22-10 loss to the Kangaroos in Christchurch on Labour Day.
In his 42-minute shift, after being a late inclusion in the starting side, Whyte had 15 runs for 147 metres, the second most of any Kiwis forward behind Joseph Tapine with 148m.
Standing at 192cm and 106kg, the powerful Whyte racked up 29 tackles at a 100% efficiency rate.
His 65 post-contact metres were the most of the Kiwis forwards and his five tackle breaks were also a game-high alongside fullback and fellow debutant Keano Kini and Whyte’s three offloads were also a team-high.
Those impressive numbers give Whyte confidence heading into the must-win test against Tonga but winning is the only statistic he really cares about when it comes to living out his childhood dream in the black jersey.
“It means a lot. Ever since growing up all I’ve wanted to do is pull on this black jersey, so to make my dream come true finally is so special.
“Especially to do alongside boys that I’ve grown up watching.
“You’re representing something bigger than yourself, you’re representing your family and your country.’’
After being selected for the New Zealand Residents 16 and 18 years teams, Whyte is no stranger to the black jersey but there was a time when the Kelston Boys’ 1st XV midfielder, who was captain of a record-breaking Ponsonby age group rugby side, would have also been happy with the All Blacks version.
Whyte grew up watching the likes of Simon Mannering, Adam Blair and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Mannering and Blair are now in the Kiwis coaching set-up under Stacey Jones and Whyte has spent the last three seasons training and playing alongside Waerea-Hargreaves.
“He’s been someone I’ve looked up to,” Whyte said.
A Bay Roskill Vikings junior, Whyte made his NRL debut for the Roosters as a 19-year-old in 2021.
He was selected in last year’s winning Kiwis Pacific Championship squad, at just 21, but never played, despite being 18th man in all three tests. But in 2024, he got his shot against the Kangaroos and impressed Jones and Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris.
“It’s his time,” Fisher-Harris said. “He just does all the little things right, he’s the type of player we want to play with.”
Last week, Whyte’s uncle made the trip to Christchurch, with the rest of his extended family celebrating his maiden game at his Nana’s Auckland home, but this week they will be sideline at Mt Smart.
“It’s definitely going to be a big one going back home,” Whyte said.
As special as his debut was, those emotions are gone and have been replaced by the pressure to beat Tonga or face missing out on the final.
“At the international level you’ve got to brush that aside pretty quick,” Whyte said of the Kiwis’ 10-point loss to the Kangaroos.
Whyte has retained his place in the starting side despite the return of Leo Thompson from a one-game suspension. In the only change, Thompson replaces last week’s debutant, Jordan Riki, on the bench, while Whyte will wear the No13 jersey and Joseph Tapine switches to prop.
Tonga have made just a single chance from the side who lost 18-0 to the Kangaroos two weeks ago, with Siua Wong taking the bench spot of Keaon Koloamatangi, who is on maternity leave.
