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Dragons centre Tim Lafai’s humble beginnings have made him a ‘better player’

To this day, no present Dragons player Tim Lafai has received has ever matched the one he was given as an eight-year-old.

Tim Lafai celebrates scoring against the Warriors.
Tim Lafai celebrates scoring against the Warriors.

No matter the expense or the size, Tim Lafai knows he will never receive a present better than the one he and his brother were given when he was eight.

Lafai and brother Caleb knew their mum and dad had saved hard for it and to this day he remembers the sheer joy of unwrapping his first football.

“It was white, it didn’t have any markings on it. It was so special,’’ said St George Illawarra Dragons centre Lafai.

St George players celebrate a try by St George's Tim Lafai. Pic: Brett Costello
St George players celebrate a try by St George's Tim Lafai. Pic: Brett Costello

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It replaced the assortment of empty plastic bottles he and brother Caleb had played with for years, kicking through power lines to test their accuracy.

“It was for Christmas, it had no brand, and me and my brother were over the moon,’’ he said.

“We went outside and started kicking the ball. We could be out there for hours.

“To this day it was the best present I’ve ever had.’’

The cyclone damaged the crops and the house and I remember my toy aeroplane mum bought back for my birthday got washed away in the floods

Even now, Lafai has to pinch himself to remind him how far he and his family have come after moving to New Zealand and then Australia after their home and crops were destroyed in a cyclone in Samoa when Lafai was just four.

“I just remember bits and pieces,’’ Lafai said. “I remember a little blue house we had, a flood there, a pretty bad cyclone and it was pretty tough at that time. There was hardship for the family.

“The cyclone damaged the crops and the house and I remember my toy aeroplane mum bought back for my birthday got washed away in the floods.’’

Lafai, 28, who wife Jacquie is expecting their fourth child in March, owes an enormous debt of gratitude to his parents.

“Now as a dad I understand why they did it. They were very courageous,” he said.

Ben Hunt and Tim Lafai tackle Clint Gutherson in last seasons NRL.
Ben Hunt and Tim Lafai tackle Clint Gutherson in last seasons NRL.

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Lafai said moving to New Zealand sparked his love for football - albeit a different code from the one he plays now.

“Rugby union was a big sport in New Zealand. We started to watch the Crusaders and fell in love with rugby,’’ he said.

“When we moved to Australia I was still playing rugby but it wasn't so big here and I went and played a rugby league game for Campbelltown City. I was in the under eights and didn’t know the rules.

I appreciate being able to play. I am blessed to have this career, this sport. I always make sure I reflect and appreciate things now

“I then played five years with Campbelltown Warriors and just fell in love with it.’’

Now a star of the NRL, Lafai said his upbringing has made him the man and player he is today.

“One hundred per cent it has made me a better player,’’ said Greystanes based Lafai, whose parent live in Minto in a house bought by their children.

“When you come from humble beginnings it makes me appreciate the little things. To be humble.

“It all makes sense now I am a parent. Wanting to give them the best life and opportunities.

“I appreciate being able to play. I am blessed to have this career, this sport. I always make sure I reflect and appreciate things now.’’

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/illawarra-star/dragons-centre-tim-lafais-humble-beginnings-have-made-him-a-better-player/news-story/017d59ba2133032437804ac481d0728b