Tim Lafai

---

title: "Tim Lafai" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1991-births", "living-people", "21st-century-samoan-sportsmen", "canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs-players", "rugby-league-centres", "salford-rlfc-players", "samoa-national-rugby-league-team-players", "samoan-emigrants-to-australia", "samoan-rugby-league-players", "st.-george-illawarra-dragons-players"] description: "Samoa international rugby league footballer" topic_path: "law" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Lafai" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Samoa international rugby league footballer ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox rugby league biography"]

Field	Value
name	Tim Lafai
fullname	Timoteo Lafai
image	Timoteo Lafai.jpg
image_upright	0.8
birth_date
birth_place	Savaii, Samoa
height	1.84 m
weight	94 kg
position
club1	Canterbury Bulldogs
year1start	2011
year1end	15
appearances1	74
tries1	30
goals1	6
fieldgoals1	0
points1	132
club2	St. George Illawarra
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
club4	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
appearancesB	4
triesB	1
goalsB	4
fieldgoalsB	0
pointsB	12
source
updated	16 April 2025
module	{{infobox person
embed	yes
education	Sarah Redfern High School
relatives	Atasi Lafai (sister)
::

|name = Tim Lafai |fullname = Timoteo Lafai |image = Timoteo Lafai.jpg |imagesize = |image_upright = 0.8 |birth_date = |birth_place = Savaii, Samoa |height = 1.84 m |weight = 94 kg |position = |club1 = Canterbury Bulldogs |year1start = 2011 |year1end = 15 |appearances1 = 74 |tries1 = 30 |goals1 = 6 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 132 |club2 = 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 = 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 = |source = | 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 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.

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. 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.

Playing career

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/timlafai.jpg" caption="Lafai playing for the Bulldogs in 2011"] ::

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. 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.

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. 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. 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. Lafai played in 16 matches, scored 7 tries and kicked 1 goal for the Bulldogs in the 2013 NRL season. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Tim_Lafai.jpg" caption="Lafai playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2013"] ::

On 12 October 2013, Lafai was named in the Samoa 24-man squad for the 2013 World Cup, playing in 3 matches. Lafai making his Samoa international debut against Papua New Guinea at in Samoa's 38-4 win at Craven Park.

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. 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.

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

2016

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

2020

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

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.

2021

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

On 2 December 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Salford in the 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. Lafai played for Samoa in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia. In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC 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.

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. Tim Lafai has retired from the league his last appearance in a National Rugby League event was at the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final where he stood upon other Rugby League greats such as Chad Townsend

Statistics

::data[format=table title=""]

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Goals	Pts
2011	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	St. George Illawarra Dragons	18	3		12
2017	24	7	6	40
2018	26	6	4	32
2019	21	2	9	26
2020	St. George Illawarra Dragons	2
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	5	2	1	10
2022	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 AVO by police following a Good Friday incident in his own home. Lafai was alleged to have punched holes in a wall after an argument with his wife. He subsequently checked himself into hospital with mental health issues.

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".

References

References

1. Walshaw, Nick. (29 July 2011). "Lafai's from a Field of Dreams Come True". News Corp.
2. "Timoteo Lafai - Career Stats & Summary".
3. Riccio, David. (4 October 2014). "Bulldogs rookie centre Tim Lafai chooses Australia over New Zealand and Samoa". News Corp.
4. Hooper, James. (10 April 2011). "Lafai ready to take on Gaz". News Corp.
5. "Lafai, Tim".
6. Nicolussi, Christian. (21 March 2011). "Tim Lafai scores on NRL debut for Bulldogs". News Corp.
7. (30 August 2011). "Toyota Cup Team of the Year". NRL.
8. Massoud, Josh. (4 May 2012). "Canterbury Bulldogs beat Parramatta Eels in NRL round nine". News Corp.
9. Sygall, David. (2 June 2012). "Live: Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs". Sydney Morning Herald.
10. Massoud, Josh. (6 April 2013). "Manly Sea Eagles surge past Canterbury Bulldogs 20-6". News Corp.
11. (12 October 2013). "League: Samoa scrambling to confirm final World Cup squad". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
12. (6 November 2013). "Samoa dominate against poor PNG". Eurosport.
13. (5 October 2014). "Bulldogs Grand Final Player Ratings". National Rugby League.
14. Ritchie, Dean. (6 October 2014). "South Sydney Rabbitohs win 2014 NRL grand final, defeating Canterbury Bulldogs 30-6". News Corp.
15. (7 October 2014). "Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad". National Rugby League.
16. (7 October 2014). "Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad".
17. Lane, Daniel. (13 August 2015). "Canterbury Bulldogs centre Tim Lafai shocked by Manly Sea Eagles switch speculation". Sydney Morning Herald.
18. Ryan, Nathan. (4 December 2015). "Bulldogs Centre Tim Lafai Requests Release Ahead of Will Hopoate's arrival".
19. (31 October 2015). "Custom Match List".
20. (11 December 2015). "Dragons sign Tim Lafai".
21. (29 January 2016). "Dragons name 2016 Nines squad".
22. Hinds, Richard. (7 March 2016). "Melbourne Storm defeat the Dragons 18-16 at AAMI Park". News Corp.
23. Kinsella, Luke. (8 February 2019). "The 66 scandals in four years that have rocked the NRL". Fox Sports Australia.
24. Bossi, Dominic. (12 May 2016). "St George Illawarra Dragons seal dramatic win over Canberra Raiders". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
25. Glover, Ben. (2 June 2017). "St George Illawarra Dragons re-sign Tim Lafai on long-term deal".
26. Lemon, Geoff. (9 September 2018). "St George Illawarra Dragons beat Brisbane Broncos: NRL finals – as it happened". [[The Guardian]].
27. (27 May 2019). "Dragons suffer double blow with Graham, Lafai sidelined".
28. Chisholm, Ed. (2 September 2019). "Paul McGregor facing the axe as St. George Illawarra Dragons coach following horror season".
29. (20 July 2020). "Dragons release Tim Lafai".
30. (20 July 2020). "Tim Lafai back in the Pack for remainder of 2020 Season".
31. (22 September 2020). "Dogs confirm EIGHT-man clean-out in first glimpse of Barrett era".
32. (17 February 2021). "Tim Lafai links up with Parramatta Eels".
33. (2 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. "Rugby League World Cup: James Tedesco stars to seal 12th triumph for Australia in 30-10 win over Samoa".
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. "Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review".
38. Callum Walker. (14 Mar 2025). "Tim Lafai set to leave Salford Red Devils".
39. Callum Walker. (21 March 2025). "Salford Red Devils chief executive confirms another exit from Super League club".
40. (12 April 2020). "NRL: Dragons centre Tim Lafai served with domestic violence order". [[Newshub]].
41. (12 April 2020). "St George Illawarra Dragons centre Tim Lafai the subject of police enquiry". [[Stuff (website).
42. (14 April 2020). "'A wonderful husband': Lafai's wife praises NRL star for seeking help". Sydney Morning Herald.
43. . (12 April 2020). ["Tim Lafai reportedly issued with AVO over Good Friday incident"](https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-dragons-tim-lafai-reportedly-issued-avo-over-good-friday-incident/lbvexe9jvj2j1d9nf3xe3icmp/).

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