Tim Lafai
{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Tim Lafai
|image = Timoteo Lafai.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_upright = 0.8
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|5|27}}
|birth_place = Savaii, Samoa
|height = {{convert|1.84|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|weight = {{convert|94|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|position = {{rlp|CE}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Canterbury Bulldogs}}
|year1start = 2011
|year1end = 15
|appearances1 = 74
|tries1 = 30
|goals1 = 6
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 132
|club2 = {{nowrap|St. George Illawarra}}
|year2start = 2016
|year2end = 20
|appearances2 = 91
|tries2 = 18
|goals2 = 19
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 112
|club3 = Canterbury Bulldogs
|year3start = 2020
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 5
|tries3 = 2
|goals3 = 1
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 10
| club4 = {{nowrap|Salford Red Devils}}
| year4start = 2022
| year4end = 25
| appearances4 = 69
| tries4 = 22
| goals4 = 0
| fieldgoals4 = 0
| points4 = 88
|teamA = Samoa
|yearAstart = 2013
|yearAend = 25
|appearancesA = 18
|triesA = 9
|goalsA = 7
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 50
|teamB = Samoa 9s
|yearBstart = 2019
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 4
|triesB = 1
|goalsB = 4
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 12
|retired =
| updated = 16 April 2025
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| spouse =
| education = Sarah Redfern High School
| relatives = Atasi Lafai (sister)
}}
}}
Timoteo Lafai (born 27 May 1991) is a retired Samoan rugby league footballer, who last played as a {{rlp|ce}} for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League, and Samoa at international level..
He previously played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs over two separate spells in the NRL.
Early years
Lafai was born in Savaii, Samoa, and moved to Auckland, New Zealand as a 6-year old before immigrating to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as a 9-year old and is of Tuvaluan descent.{{Cite news |last=Riccio |first=David |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/bulldogs/bulldogs-rookie-centre-tim-lafai-chooses-australia-over-new-zealand-and-samoa/news-story/c9b55a98949b8859aced1ed20e54250f |title=Bulldogs rookie centre Tim Lafai chooses Australia over New Zealand and Samoa |date=4 October 2014 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095703/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/bulldogs/bulldogs-rookie-centre-tim-lafai-chooses-australia-over-new-zealand-and-samoa/news-story/c9b55a98949b8859aced1ed20e54250f |archive-date=22 July 2018 |publisher=News Corp}}
Lafai attended Sarah Redfern High School, graduating in 2009 while playing his junior football for the Minto Cobras, and Campbelltown Warriors. In 2007, Lafai played for the Western Suburbs Magpies Harold Matthews team before being signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Lafai played for the Rabbitohs SG Ball team and also played for the Campbelltown Eagles in the Bundaberg Red Cup.{{Cite news |last=Hooper |first=James |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/lafai-ready-to-take-on-gaz/story-e6frexni-1226036517577 |title=Lafai ready to take on Gaz |date=10 April 2011 |work=The Sunday Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150404105151/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/lafai-ready-to-take-on-gaz/story-e6frexni-1226036517577 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |publisher=News Corp}} After the 2009 season, Lafai signed a 1-year contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Lafai played for the Bulldogs Toyota Cup team in 2010 and 2011, scoring 17 tries and 17 goals in 32 games.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com//db/player/l/lafai_tim/index.php |title=Lafai, Tim |website=World of Rugby League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617175329/http://www.rleague.com//db/player/l/lafai_tim/index.php |archive-date=17 June 2012 |access-date=8 October 2017}}
Playing career
=2011=
In round 2 of the 2011 NRL season, Lafai made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the South Sydney Rabbitohs filling in for the injured Josh Morris, scoring a try on debut in Canterbury's 28-19 win at ANZ Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Nicolussi |first=Christian |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/tim-lafai-scores-on-nrl-debut-for-bulldogs/news-story/80dc6bbca11d2baa162972b901635399 |title=Tim Lafai scores on NRL debut for Bulldogs |date=21 March 2011 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |publisher=News Corp}} Lafai finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 8 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Bulldogs. On 8 September 2011, Lafai was named on the interchange bench in the 2011 Toyota Cup Team of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2011/08/30/toyota-cup-team-of-the-year/ |title=Toyota Cup Team of the Year |publisher=NRL |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=4 September 2021}}
=2012=
Lafai returned to the Canterbury first grade side in round 5 filling in for the injured Steven Turner, scoring a try in the Bulldogs 46-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Massoud |first=Josh |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-lowdown-eels-v-bulldogs/news-story/601ca19cb2d0242663b4525a82e68cd4 |title=Canterbury Bulldogs beat Parramatta Eels in NRL round nine |date=4 May 2012 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330230624/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-lowdown-eels-v-bulldogs/news-story/601ca19cb2d0242663b4525a82e68cd4 |archive-date=30 March 2020 |publisher=News Corp}} In round 13 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Lafai suffered a dislocated right shoulder sidelining him for the rest of the year in the Bulldogs 23-18 win at ANZ Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Sygall |first=David |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/live-canterbury-bulldogs-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-20120602-1zomx.html |title=Live: Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs |date=2 June 2012 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721132750/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/live-canterbury-bulldogs-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-20120602-1zomx.html |archive-date=21 July 2018 }} Lafai played in 5 matches and scored 2 tries for the Bulldogs in the 2012 NRL season.
=2013=
Lafai returned to the Canterbury-Bankstown first grade side in round 5 filling in the suspended Krisnan Inu in the centres in the Bulldogs 20-6 defeat by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Massoud |first=Josh |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-surge-past-canterbury-bulldogs-20-6/news-story/9954dca3a6b4ec2e1f22dfb3e76066f1 |title=Manly Sea Eagles surge past Canterbury Bulldogs 20-6 |date=6 April 2013 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |publisher=News Corp}} Lafai played in 16 matches, scored 7 tries and kicked 1 goal for the Bulldogs in the 2013 NRL season.
On 12 October 2013, Lafai was named in the Samoa 24-man squad for the 2013 World Cup,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11138841&ref=rss |title=League: Samoa scrambling to confirm final World Cup squad |date=12 October 2013 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=24 November 2015 }} playing in 3 matches. Lafai making his Samoa international debut against Papua New Guinea at {{rlp|ce}} in Samoa's 38-4 win at Craven Park.{{Cite news |url=https://au.eurosport.com/rugby-league/samoa-dominate-against-poor-papua-new-guinea_sto3993471/story.shtml |title=Samoa dominate against poor PNG |date=6 November 2013 |work=Eurosport |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125135638/https://au.eurosport.com/rugby-league/samoa-dominate-against-poor-papua-new-guinea_sto3993471/story.shtml |archive-date=25 November 2015}}
=2014=
On 5 October 2014, in Canterbury-Bankstown's 2014 NRL Grand Final against South Sydney, Lafai played at {{rlp|ce}} in the club's 30-6 loss.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82377/default.aspx |title=Bulldogs Grand Final Player Ratings |date=5 October 2014 |website=NRL.com |publisher=National Rugby League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124043131/http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82377/default.aspx |archive-date=24 January 2016 |access-date=24 November 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Dean |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-win-2014-nrl-grand-final-defeating-canterbury-bulldogs-306/news-story/8016f779194e71814b5118263ffbf713 |title=South Sydney Rabbitohs win 2014 NRL grand final, defeating Canterbury Bulldogs 30-6 |date=6 October 2014 |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 November 2015 |publisher=News Corp}} Lafai finished the Bulldogs 2014 NRL season as the club's highest tryscorer with 14 tries as well with him kicking 4 goals in 25 matches. On 7 October 2014, Lafai was selected in the Samoan 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx |title=Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad |date=7 October 2014 |website=NRL.com |publisher=National Rugby League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722004800/http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx |archive-date=22 July 2015 |access-date=24 November 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/ |title=Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad |date=7 October 2014 |website=Zero Tackle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031215/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/ |archive-date=3 February 2016 |access-date=24 November 2015}}
=2015=
In August, it was rumoured that Lafai was going to sign with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2016 season to make way for Parramatta Eels player Will Hopoate at the Bulldogs, but that was later dismissed.{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Daniel |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-centre-tim-lafai-shocked-by-manly-sea-eagles-switch-speculation-20150813-giykm6.html |title=Canterbury Bulldogs centre Tim Lafai shocked by Manly Sea Eagles switch speculation |date=13 August 2015 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 November 2015 |url-access=limited}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/bulldogs-centre-tim-lafai-requests-release-ahead-of-will-hopoates-arrival/story-e6frf3pu-1227633569783 |title=Bulldogs Centre Tim Lafai Requests Release Ahead of Will Hopoate's arrival |last=Ryan |first=Nathan |date=4 December 2015 |website=Fox Sports Australia |access-date=13 December 2015}} Lafai finished off the 2015 season having played in 20 matches, scoring 5 tries and kicking 1 goal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NC0xNjYwLTQtLS0tLS0xNjU5NC0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0= |title=Custom Match List |date=31 October 2015 |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=24 November 2015}} On 11 December, he signed a two-year contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons starting in 2016, after being released from the final two years of his Canterbury-Bankstown contract.{{Cite web |url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/dragons-sign-tim-lafai-19961/ |title=Dragons sign Tim Lafai |date=11 December 2015 |website=Zero Tackle |access-date=13 December 2015}}
=2016=
In February, Lafai played for the Dragons in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.{{Cite web |url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/dragons-name-2016-nines-squad/ |title=Dragons name 2016 Nines squad |date=29 January 2016 |website=Rugby League Week |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204025959/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/dragons-name-2016-nines-squad/ |archive-date=4 February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}
In round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Lafai made his club debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Melbourne Storm, playing at centre in the Dragons 18-16 loss at AAMI Park.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/storm/melbourne-storm-defeat-the-dragons-1816-at-aami-park/news-story/3f45ed468af51012df6c60a6182d7d86|title=Melbourne Storm defeat the Dragons 18-16 at AAMI Park|last=Hinds|first=Richard|date=7 March 2016|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=8 October 2017|publisher=News Corp}}
On 24 July, Lafai and Siliva Havili were arrested after brawling in the street outside a nightclub with another man. The alleged victim claimed Havili punched him when he had his back turned. Lafai and Havili were charged with common assault and offensive behaviour, but later escaped conviction with a guilty plea.{{Cite news |last=Kinsella |first=Luke |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-66-scandals-in-four-years-that-have-rocked-the-nrl/news-story/1bbcdffd432063bec8e521c736f7ae4d/ |title=The 66 scandals in four years that have rocked the NRL |date=8 February 2019 |work=Fox Sports Australia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208043224/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-66-scandals-in-four-years-that-have-rocked-the-nrl/news-story/1bbcdffd432063bec8e521c736f7ae4d/ |archive-date=8 February 2019 |via=news.com.au}}
In round 10 against the Canberra Raiders, Lafai scored his first club try for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the 16-12 golden point extra time win at Jubilee Oval.{{Cite news |last=Bossi |first=Dominic |url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/st-george-illawarra-dragons-seal-dramatic-win-over-canberra-raiders-in-the-darkness-20160512-gotzna.html |title=St George Illawarra Dragons seal dramatic win over Canberra Raiders |date=12 May 2016 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=8 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128043631/http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/st-george-illawarra-dragons-seal-dramatic-win-over-canberra-raiders-in-the-darkness-20160512-gotzna.html |archive-date=28 January 2017 |url-access=limited}}
On 8 October 2016, Lafai played for Samoa in their historical test match against Fiji in Apia.
=2017=
After a good start to the 2017 NRL season, Lafai was rewarded with a three-year contract extension by St George, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2020 NRL season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/dragons/st-george-illawarra-dragons-resign-tim-lafai-on-longterm-deal/news-story/fcb023406a92ab3c6e059f4d4b380d80 |title=St George Illawarra Dragons re-sign Tim Lafai on long-term deal |last=Glover |first=Ben |date=2 June 2017 |website=Fox Sports |language=en-AU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603104310/http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/dragons/st-george-illawarra-dragons-resign-tim-lafai-on-longterm-deal/news-story/fcb023406a92ab3c6e059f4d4b380d80 |archive-date=3 June 2017 |access-date=21 July 2018}}
=2018=
Lafai made 26 appearances for St George in the 2018 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Lafai scored a try for St George as they shocked a highly fancied Brisbane side 48-18 at Suncorp Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Lemon |first=Geoff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/sep/09/brisbane-broncos-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-nrl-finals-live/ |title=St George Illawarra Dragons beat Brisbane Broncos: NRL finals – as it happened |date=9 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910130920/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/sep/09/brisbane-broncos-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-nrl-finals-live/ |archive-date=10 September 2018}} The following week, Lafai played in the club's 13-12 elimination final loss against South Sydney.
=2019=
Lafai began the 2019 NRL season as one of the club's first choice centres. In round 5, Lafai scored a try and kicked 4 goals as St George defeated Canterbury 40-4 at Kogarah Oval. In round 11 against Cronulla, Lafai was taken from the field with an ankle injury as St George lost 22-9.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/27/dragons-suffer-double-blow-with-graham-lafai-sidelined/ |title=Dragons suffer double blow with Graham, Lafai sidelined |date=27 May 2019 |website=NRL.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527120931/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/27/dragons-suffer-double-blow-with-graham-lafai-sidelined/ |archive-date=27 May 2019}}
Lafai made a total of 21 appearances for St. George as the club endured one of their toughest ever seasons finishing second last on the table.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/paul-mcgregor-facing-the-axe-as-st-george-illawarra-dragons-coach-after-horror-season/1m4wnmg28k3j1mhmkd7qlvj2x/ |title=Paul McGregor facing the axe as St. George Illawarra Dragons coach following horror season |last=Chisholm |first=Ed |date=2 September 2019 |website=Sporting News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905113456/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/paul-mcgregor-facing-the-axe-as-st-george-illawarra-dragons-coach-after-horror-season/1m4wnmg28k3j1mhmkd7qlvj2x/ |archive-date=5 September 2019}}
=2020=
On 20 July, Lafai was released by St. George returning to his former club Canterbury-Bankstown.{{Cite web|date=20 July 2020|title=Dragons release Tim Lafai|url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/07/20/dragons-release-tim-lafai/|access-date=20 July 2020|website=St George Illawarra Dragons|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=20 July 2020|title=Tim Lafai back in the Pack for remainder of 2020 Season|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2020/07/20/tim-lafai-back-in-the-pack-for-remainder-of-2020-season/|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|language=en}}
On 22 September, Lafai was one of eight players who were told they would be released by Canterbury at the end of the 2020 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/nrl-2020-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-announce-eight-player-departures-kieran-foran-aiden-tolman-full-list/news-story/67fbadc55112e80ee342e26861bd206d|title=Dogs confirm EIGHT-man clean-out in first glimpse of Barrett era|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=22 September 2020 }}
=2021=
On 17 February, Lafai signed a part-time Canterbury Cup NSW contract with Parramatta for the 2021 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/tim-lafai-links-up-with-parramatta-eels/|title=Tim Lafai links up with Parramatta Eels|website=www.loverugbyleague.com|date=17 February 2021 }}
On 2 December 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Salford in the Super League.{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=2 December 2021|accessdate=3 December 2021|title=Samoa star Tim Lafai makes Super League move|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/samoa-tim-lafai-salford-super-league/}}
=2022=
After missing out on initial selection, he was called up as a replacement into the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]
Lafai played for Samoa in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/australia-vs-samoa/58154/|title=Rugby League World Cup: James Tedesco stars to seal 12th triumph for Australia in 30-10 win over Samoa|website=www.skysports.com}}
In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.[https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-team-of-the-tournament-samoan-players-matt-parish-jarome-luai-mens-news-grand-final-australia-vs-samoa-news/news-story/a21b36bd8c3bf810be6953e4420220a9 Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament]
=2023=
In the 2023 Super League season, Lafai played 19 matches for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2023/10/02/salford-red-devils-2023-season-in-review/|title=Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review|website=www.salfordnow.co.uk}}
=2025=
On 14 March 2025, it was announced that Lafai was set to return to Australia, another casualty of the recent turbulent financial times at Salford Red Devils.{{cite web | website=Total RL | date=14 Mar 2025 | author=Callum Walker | title=Tim Lafai set to leave Salford Red Devils | url=https://www.totalrl.com/tim-lafai-set-to-leave-salford-red-devils/}}{{cite web |website=Total RL | date=21 March 2025 |author=Callum Walker | title=Salford Red Devils chief executive confirms another exit from Super League club | url=https://www.totalrl.com/salford-red-devils-chief-executive-confirms-another-exit-from-super-league-club/}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Goals !Pts |
| 2011
| rowspan="5" |{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |8 |2 | |8 |
| 2012
|5 |2 | |8 |
| 2013
|16 |7 |1 |30 |
| 2014
|25 |14 |4 |64 |
| 2015
|20 |5 |1 |22 |
| 2016
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|St. George|16}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |18 |3 | |12 |
| 2017
|24 |7 |6 |40 |
| 2018
|26 |6 |4 |32 |
| 2019
|21 |2 |9 |26 |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|{{leagueicon|St. George|16}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |2 | | | |
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|5 |2 |1 |10 |
| 2022
| rowspan="4" |{{Nowrap|{{leagueicon|Salford City|16}} Salford}} |25 |6 | |24 |
| 2023
|20 |6 | |24 |
| 2024
|22 |10 | |40 |
| 2025
|2 | | | |
| |Totals
|234 |69 |26 |300 |
Controversy
On 12 April 2020 it was reported that Lafai had been handed an {{abbr|AVO|Apprehended Violence Order}} by police following a Good Friday incident in his own home.{{cite web |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2020/04/nrl-dragons-centre-tim-lafai-served-with-domestic-violence-order.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412111236/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2020/04/nrl-dragons-centre-tim-lafai-served-with-domestic-violence-order.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2020 |title=NRL: Dragons centre Tim Lafai served with domestic violence order |publisher=Newshub |date=12 April 2020 |access-date=16 July 2023}} Lafai was alleged to have punched holes in a wall after an argument with his wife.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/120976229/st-george-illawarra-dragons-centre-tim-lafai-the-subject-of-police-enquiry |title=St George Illawarra Dragons centre Tim Lafai the subject of police enquiry |publisher=Stuff |date=12 April 2020 |access-date=16 July 2023}} He subsequently checked himself into hospital with mental health issues.{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/a-wonderful-husband-lafai-s-wife-praises-nrl-star-for-seeking-help-20200414-p54jl7.html |title='A wonderful husband': Lafai's wife praises NRL star for seeking help |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 April 2020 |access-date=16 July 2023}}
Lafai's club St. George issued a statement saying "St George Illawarra are aware of a police matter involving Dragons centre Tim Lafai, the club said in a statement. As this is a deeply personal and private matter, at this stage the Dragons will be making no further comment".{{Cite web |last= |date=12 April 2020 |title=Tim Lafai reportedly issued with AVO over Good Friday incident |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-dragons-tim-lafai-reportedly-issued-avo-over-good-friday-incident/lbvexe9jvj2j1d9nf3xe3icmp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412012137/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-dragons-tim-lafai-reportedly-issued-avo-over-good-friday-incident/lbvexe9jvj2j1d9nf3xe3icmp/ |archive-date=12 April 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |website=Sporting News}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/timoteo-lafai/ St. George Illawarra Dragons profile]
- [http://www.dragons.com.au/team/profiles/tim_lafai.html Dragons profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/12/playerid/7042/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile]
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=381#Timoteo-Lafai 2017 RLWC profile]
{{Samoa 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Samoa 2014 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{Samoa 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Samoa 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament}}
{{2022 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2011 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafai, Tim}}
Category:21st-century Samoan sportsmen
Category:Australian people of Tuvaluan descent
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:Salford Red Devils players
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan emigrants to Australia