Sport
Salford Red Devils’ Tim Lafai reveals the humble beginnings that came before his Super League move
He's no stranger to grafting and putting food on the table as a first priority.
Salford Red Devils’ Tim Lafai has been one of the signings of the season in the Betfred Super League but, according to him, he wasn’t always destined for a career in rugby.
The strong centre has not only become one of the Red Devils‘ main attacking threats since joining back in December 2021, but he has also proved to be one of the league’s biggest hitters.
However, speaking on an episode of BBC’s Super League Show which aired earlier this week, the 31-year-old revealed how nearly gave the sport up entirely after having “fallen out of love with rugby league” and putting it aside to focus on providing for his family.
As he explained on Monday night’s show, the Samoan-born bruiser was busy “doing construction work… a bit of traffic control and labouring here and there” for a number of years before he made his move to the UK and the Super League.
Lafai had more than 10 years of NRL (National Rugby League) experience in Australia and New Zealand before rocking up at Salford, not to mention several caps for his country, but as the father of four recently told The Sportsman, going back to any old day job nearly became permanent.
Lafai went on to explain that “having a year off from playing professionally, just working like an everyday Australian back home made me a lot more grateful coming back into the game, of what I actually had and what I could have lost.
“It was anything I could get to provide for my family and I was just about to give rugby league up. There was nothing in the NRL and I didn’t really think of Super League.
“It put my vision into a different perspective with how I see the simple things, and having four kids and a wife makes me more determined, mature and have that passion for the game again.”
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Cut to his debut season and the end of last year, the Samoan international was playing in the final of the Rugby League World Cup and, in his words, back to “doing what [he] loves again”. Things you like to hear.
“I’m just out here living my best life,” says Lafai, “doing the best for my team and my club.” It certainly seems to be appreciated as well, with head coach Paul Rowley dubbing him one of the “signings of the season” and among many people’s dream team picks.
Lafai went on to insist that as long as “I’m doing what I love again and if it brings a smile to the people and makes them feel a certain way that’s fine by me.” What a guy.
You can watch the full episode of Super League Show HERE.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Salford Red Devils (via Twitter)/BBC iPLayer
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
- Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
- Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
- Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
- Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
- Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Should be a laugh – see you there?
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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Sport
John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
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Featured Images — Premier League/Man City (screenshot via IG)/Brad Tutterow (via Flickr)
Danny Jones -
22nd February 2023 
