Valynce Te Whare. Remember the name.
The 120kg Dolphins wrecking ball announced himself as a star of the future with a stunning, barnstorming try on his NRL debut against the Sharks.
Te Whare, a rugby union convert who only took up rugby league one year ago, received the ball from Isaiya katoa as the Dolphins attacked the Sharks line in the first half.
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A quick bit of footwork and strength brushed off Ronaldo Mulitalo before he surged through a small gap in the defensive line to crash over and send Suncorp Stadium into raptures.
“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 Ginane said on Fox League’s coverage.
Broncos great Corey Parker was stunned by the sheer power displayed by Te Whare.
“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 Mulitao, straight through some good defenders. What a moment for the young man on debut.”
The 22-year-old centre had never played rugby league until he signed with the Dolphins in December, 2021.
Instead he was playing rugby union for King Country in New Zealand.
He spent last season learning the game while playing for the Dolphins in Queensland Cup before Wayne Bennett promoted him to first grade for Magic Round.
In just 20 appearances in the QLD Cup competition he has run amok, scoring 16 tries and amassing 24 line breaks.
