When Naufahu Whyte takes the field for New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup it will be with his family on his back and the example of Māori warrior prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves embedded deep within his soul.

The Sydney Roosters premiership winner, joint Dally M prop of the year and Roosters player of the year will run and tackle his own way with his mojo and his intent.

What he does, and he does it so well, won't be borrowed but it will be inspired by recently retired Kiwis legend and three-time Roosters title winner Waerea-Hargreaves.

"Jared is one of those big name players that us forwards all look to for what he has done," Whyte told AAP

"Every time we go out there we do our best to make him proud."

Legacy is big for 24-year-old Whyte, which is why current Kiwi props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota also give him goosebumps.

"It is crazy," Whyte said after entering New Zealand camp and mixing with the duo.

"I still pinch myself in meetings being able to sit next to them and then train alongside them. They have been role models."

Whyte enters the World Cup in the form of his life

"I feel grateful and blessed," he said.

His first premiership this month was "one of the greatest things I have accomplished in my life" and then to win the Jack Gibson Medal as the Roosters' best of the season was an unexpected bonus.

"That was crazy. It is something on my bucket list that it is ticked off and I am grateful for," he said.

Grateful he is too for the support of Waerea-Hargreaves who guided him in his early NRL journey after venturing across the ditch.

"I had some doubts when I first moved away from my whole family in New Zealand but I knew deep down it was all going to be worth it," he said.

"Jared was like a big brother to me, with a similar background, and he took me under his wing and taught me what it really takes to be a prop at the Sydney Roosters and for New Zealand.

"He has had a huge influence on the player I am today.

"At training he would push me, test me and run hard at me. It didn't matter which teammate was in his way ...you were getting smoked."

To help New Zealand win a second World Cup is now the aim.

"It is everything to me," Whyte replied.

"This is the pinnacle for us New Zealander boys. We get to go on the big stage and represent our little country and our families. That is all I am carrying with me ... my parents, my siblings and my home on my back.

"Every time I put this jersey on I make sure I do it proud. The players that have gone before us put the jersey in the position it is today."

The Pacific Championships triumph last year was a sign of what the Kiwis are capable of but for Whyte this is a new campaign with a bigger carrot dangling.

"We know what we are capable of doing," he said

"We have got a stacked team and if we get things rolling well we can dominate any team in this competition."

New Zealand play Australia in the opening World Cup clash in Sydney on Thursday.

Roosters teammates James Tedesco and Sam Walker are likely to be opponents but Whyte will be running at anyone in his path.

"They know who they are," he grinned.

"Anyone in an Aussie jersey."

Australian Associated Press