{{Short description|NZ international rugby league player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{EngvarB|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Naufahu Whyte |fullname = Naufahu Whyte |image = NAUFAHU WHYTE.jpg |imagesize = |caption = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|04|04|df=yes}} |birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand |height = {{convert|192|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|106|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|PR|LK}} |club1 = {{nowrap|Sydney Roosters}} |year1start = 2021 |year1end = present |appearances1 = 68 |tries1 = 4 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 16 |teamA = New Zealand |yearAstart = 2024 |yearAend = 25 |appearancesA = 6 |triesA = 2 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 8 |retired = |source = <ref>[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/naufahu-whyte/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref> |updated = 30 May 2026 }}
'''Naufahu Whyte''' (born 4 April 2002) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr}} or {{rlp|lk}} forward for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL) and for New Zealand at international level.
==Background== Whyte was born in Auckland, New Zealand and is of Samoan and Tongan descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/be-like-jwh-but-only-a-bit-how-roosters-unlocked-nrl-s-most-improved-player-20250822-p5moyt.html|title= Be like JWH, but only a bit: How Roosters unlocked NRL’s most improved player |website=www.smh.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/08/18/new-zealands-my-home-roosters-star-makes-pacific-championships-call/|title='New Zealand's my home': Whyte makes Pac Champs pledge |website=nrl.com|date=18 August 2025 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>
==Playing career== In round 22 2021, Whyte made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in a 21–20 win. Whyte re-signed with the Roosters club until the end of 2024. Whyte played nine matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/sydney-roosters-nrl-2023-season-review/88b2453a9bca06123c73704b#:~:text=While%20their%20late%2Dseason%20heroics,to%20reach%20the%20prelim%20finals./|title=NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}}</ref>
=== 2024 === On 21 May 2024, the Sydney Roosters hit back at claims that Whyte had been taking illegal substances on a live stream along with fellow players Brandon Smith, Zach Dockar-Clay, Terrell May and Spencer Leniu. The club released a statement which read “The Sydney Roosters have been made aware of a small clip from a longer live stream that some on social media have claimed identifies behaviour that breaches NRL rules. “The clip reveals no use of illicit substances or any other breach of NRL rules, however some see fit to make that grossly distorted and clearly damaging claim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-sydney-roosters-statement-live-stream-brandon-smith-spencer-leniu-terrell-may-instagram-club-responds-club-statement-video/news-story/a9ec5e07bc2d2ecc0a6c17d74508b500/|title=‘Not right’: Tedesco defends teammates as Roosters blast ‘grossly distorted’ claims over viral video|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> Whyte played 23 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2024 NRL season as they finished third on the table. Whyte played in the clubs preliminary final loss against Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-sydney-roosters-season-review-the-mole-analysis-20241001-p5kesz.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: Maligned signing suddenly looms as Roosters saviour after exodus, injuries|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
=== 2025 === On 24 June, the Sydney Roosters announced that Whyte had re-signed with the club for a further three years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-24 |title=Naufahu Whyte extends with Roosters |url=https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2025/06/24/naufahu-whyte-extends-with-roosters/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Sydney Roosters |language=en}}</ref> He played 23 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-season-review-sydney-roosters-exclusive-20250917-p5mvze.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Looming Daly Cherry-Evans signing could help fix Roosters' biggest issue|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
== Statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2021 | rowspan=5 |{{Leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters |3 | | |- |2023 |8 | | |- |2024 |23 |1 |4 |- |2025 |23 |3 |12 |- |2026 | | | |- | |Totals |'''57''' |'''4''' |'''16''' |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.roosters.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/sydney-roosters/naufahu-whyte/ Sydney Roosters profile]
{{Sydney Roosters squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whyte, Naufaru}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players Category:New Zealand rugby league players Category:North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players Category:Rugby league players from Auckland Category:Rugby league props Category:Sydney Roosters players