Tim Lafai Explained

Tim Lafai
Fullname:Timoteo Lafai[1]
Image Upright:0.8
Birth Date:1991 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Savaii, Samoa
Height:1.84abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Weight:94abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Year1start:2011
Year1end:15
Appearances1:74
Tries1:30
Goals1:6
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:132
Year2start:2016
Year2end:20
Appearances2:91
Tries2:18
Goals2:19
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:112
Club3:Canterbury Bulldogs
Year3start:2020
Appearances3:5
Tries3:2
Goals3:1
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:10
Year4start:2022
Year4end:present
Appearances4:55
Tries4:15
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:46
Teama:Samoa
Yearastart:2013
Yearaend:present
Appearancesa:18
Triesa:9
Goalsa:7
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:50
Teamb:Samoa 9s
Yearbstart:2019
Appearancesb:4
Triesb:1
Goalsb:4
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:12
Source:[2]
Updated:7 November 2022

Timoteo Lafai (born 27 May 1991) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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,[11] playing in 3 matches. Lafai making his Samoa international debut against Papua New Guinea at in Samoa's 38-4 win at Craven Park.[12]

2014

On 5 October 2014, in Canterbury-Bankstown's 2014 NRL Grand Final against South Sydney, Lafai played at in the club's 30-6 loss.[13] [14] 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.[15] [16]

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.[17] [18] Lafai finished off the 2015 season having played in 20 matches, scoring 5 tries and kicking 1 goal.[19] 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.[20]

2016

In February, Lafai played for the Dragons in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26] 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.[27]

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.[28]

2020

On 20 July, Lafai was released by St. George returning to his former club Canterbury-Bankstown.[29] [30]

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.[31]

2021

On 17 February, Lafai signed a part-time Canterbury Cup NSW contract with Parramatta for the 2021 NRL season.[32]

On 2 December 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Salford in the Super League.[33]

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.[34] Lafai played for Samoa in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.[35] In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.[36]

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.[37]

Controversy

On 12 April 2020 it was reported that Lafai had been handed an by police following a Good Friday incident in his own home.[38] Lafai was alleged to have punched holes in a wall after an argument with his wife.[39] He subsequently checked himself into hospital with mental health issues.[40]

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".[41]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Walshaw . Nick . Lafai's from a Field of Dreams Come True . 29 July 2011 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . News Corp.
  2. Web site: Timoteo Lafai - Career Stats & Summary . Rugby League Project . 24 November 2015.
  3. News: Riccio . David . Bulldogs rookie centre Tim Lafai chooses Australia over New Zealand and Samoa . 4 October 2014 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . live . 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 . 22 July 2018 . News Corp.
  4. News: Hooper . James . Lafai ready to take on Gaz . 10 April 2011 . The Sunday Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . dead . https://archive.today/20150404105151/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/lafai-ready-to-take-on-gaz/story-e6frexni-1226036517577 . 4 April 2015 . News Corp.
  5. Web site: Lafai, Tim . World of Rugby League . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120617175329/http://www.rleague.com//db/player/l/lafai_tim/index.php . 17 June 2012 . 8 October 2017.
  6. News: Nicolussi . Christian . Tim Lafai scores on NRL debut for Bulldogs . 21 March 2011 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . News Corp.
  7. Web site: Toyota Cup Team of the Year . NRL . 30 August 2011 . 4 September 2021.
  8. News: Massoud . Josh . Canterbury Bulldogs beat Parramatta Eels in NRL round nine . 4 May 2012 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200330230624/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-lowdown-eels-v-bulldogs/news-story/601ca19cb2d0242663b4525a82e68cd4 . 30 March 2020 . News Corp.
  9. News: Sygall . David . Live: Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs . 2 June 2012 . Sydney Morning Herald . 24 November 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180721132750/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/live-canterbury-bulldogs-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-20120602-1zomx.html . 21 July 2018 .
  10. News: Massoud . Josh . Manly Sea Eagles surge past Canterbury Bulldogs 20-6 . 6 April 2013 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . News Corp.
  11. News: League: Samoa scrambling to confirm final World Cup squad . 12 October 2013 . NZ Herald . 24 November 2015 .
  12. News: Samoa dominate against poor PNG . 6 November 2013 . Eurosport . 24 November 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151125135638/https://au.eurosport.com/rugby-league/samoa-dominate-against-poor-papua-new-guinea_sto3993471/story.shtml . 25 November 2015.
  13. Web site: Bulldogs Grand Final Player Ratings . 5 October 2014 . NRL.com . National Rugby League . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160124043131/http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82377/default.aspx . 24 January 2016 . 24 November 2015.
  14. News: Ritchie . Dean . South Sydney Rabbitohs win 2014 NRL grand final, defeating Canterbury Bulldogs 30-6 . 6 October 2014 . Daily Telegraph . 24 November 2015 . News Corp.
  15. Web site: Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad . 7 October 2014 . NRL.com . National Rugby League . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722004800/http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx . 22 July 2015 . 24 November 2015.
  16. Web site: Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad . 7 October 2014 . Zero Tackle . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031215/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad-15250/ . 3 February 2016 . 24 November 2015.
  17. News: Lane . Daniel . Canterbury Bulldogs centre Tim Lafai shocked by Manly Sea Eagles switch speculation . 13 August 2015 . Sydney Morning Herald . 24 November 2015 . limited.
  18. Web site: Bulldogs Centre Tim Lafai Requests Release Ahead of Will Hopoate's arrival . Ryan . Nathan . 4 December 2015 . Fox Sports Australia . 13 December 2015.
  19. Web site: Custom Match List . 31 October 2015 . Rugby League Project . 24 November 2015.
  20. Web site: Dragons sign Tim Lafai . 11 December 2015 . Zero Tackle . 13 December 2015.
  21. Web site: Dragons name 2016 Nines squad . 29 January 2016 . Rugby League Week . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160204025959/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/dragons-name-2016-nines-squad/ . 4 February 2016 . 4 February 2016.
  22. News: Melbourne Storm defeat the Dragons 18-16 at AAMI Park. Hinds. Richard. 7 March 2016. Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2017. News Corp.
  23. News: Kinsella . Luke . The 66 scandals in four years that have rocked the NRL . 8 February 2019 . Fox Sports Australia . live . 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/ . 8 February 2019 . news.com.au.
  24. News: Bossi . Dominic . St George Illawarra Dragons seal dramatic win over Canberra Raiders . 12 May 2016 . . 8 October 2017 . live . 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 . 28 January 2017 . limited.
  25. Web site: St George Illawarra Dragons re-sign Tim Lafai on long-term deal . Glover . Ben . 2 June 2017 . Fox Sports . en-AU . live . 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 . 3 June 2017 . 21 July 2018.
  26. News: Lemon . Geoff . St George Illawarra Dragons beat Brisbane Broncos: NRL finals – as it happened . 9 September 2018 . The Guardian . live . 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/ . 10 September 2018.
  27. Web site: Dragons suffer double blow with Graham, Lafai sidelined . 27 May 2019 . NRL.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190527120931/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/27/dragons-suffer-double-blow-with-graham-lafai-sidelined/ . 27 May 2019.
  28. Web site: Paul McGregor facing the axe as St. George Illawarra Dragons coach following horror season . Chisholm . Ed . 2 September 2019 . Sporting News . live . 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/ . 5 September 2019.
  29. Web site: 20 July 2020. Dragons release Tim Lafai. 20 July 2020. St George Illawarra Dragons. en.
  30. Web site: 20 July 2020. Tim Lafai back in the Pack for remainder of 2020 Season. 20 July 2020. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. en.
  31. Web site: Dogs confirm EIGHT-man clean-out in first glimpse of Barrett era. www.foxsports.com.au. 22 September 2020 .
  32. Web site: Tim Lafai links up with Parramatta Eels. www.loverugbyleague.com. 17 February 2021 .
  33. Web site: Love Rugby League. 2 December 2021. 3 December 2021. Samoa star Tim Lafai makes Super League move.
  34. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  35. Web site: Rugby League World Cup: James Tedesco stars to seal 12th triumph for Australia in 30-10 win over Samoa. www.skysports.com.
  36. 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
  37. Web site: Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review. www.salfordnow.co.uk.
  38. Web site: NRL: Dragons centre Tim Lafai served with domestic violence order . NewsHub . 12 April 2020 . 16 July 2023.
  39. Web site: St George Illawarra Dragons centre Tim Lafai the subject of police enquiry . Stuff . 12 April 2020 . 16 July 2023.
  40. Web site: 'A wonderful husband': Lafai's wife praises NRL star for seeking help . Sydney Morning Herald . 14 April 2020 . 16 July 2023.
  41. Web site: . 12 April 2020 . Tim Lafai reportedly issued with AVO over Good Friday incident . live . 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/ . 12 April 2020 . 12 April 2020 . Sporting News.

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