Naufahu Whyte carries father's daily message to Kiwis World Cup
Naufahu Whyte receives the same message from his father after every match: you can always get better.
Naufahu Whyte, a 24-year-old front rower for the Roosters and Kiwis, credits his father Ofa with a message that keeps him humble and hungry. No matter the occasion, NRL finals or test matches, his dad texts the same theme: Good game son but you can always be better.
Whyte has responded by becoming one of rugby league's elite props. Whyte won the Dally M Prop of the Year award and was the best forward on the field in the NRL grand final, unlucky not to win the Clive Churchill medal.
Whyte's journey included a setback in 2022 when he was dropped to reserve grade, a moment he says felt wrong and drove him to reclaim his place. Now he leads through work ethic and quiet improvement, values shaped by his parents since his days at Bay-Roskill Vikings as a kid.
- 24
- Age
- Sydney Roosters
- Club
- Dally M Prop of the Year
- Award
- 2022
- Reserve grade year
Why it mattersIt shows how a simple parental message can fuel elite performance and keep athletes grounded despite success.
AustraliaWhyte plays in Australia's NRL and represents New Zealand internationally, so his story resonates with rugby league fans across both countries watching the World Cup.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
