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.
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]
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]
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]
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 AVO 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]
^Hooper, James (10 April 2011). "Lafai ready to take on Gaz". The Sunday Telegraph. News Corp. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
^"Lafai, Tim". World of Rugby League. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2017.