While Lafai’s Samoan side struggled, with the team’s campaign marred by disappointing results on the field, the incredible displays by Tonga and Fiji emerged as the feel-good story of the competition. 

With Tonga and Fiji proving they can topple Tier One nations, Lafai believes now is the time to develop and grow the game in the Pacific Islands.

“Other than the poor results, it was a good experience,” Lafai said. “Especially seeing the other Pacific teams like Tonga, Fiji and even PNG rising up was good. It was a good World Cup all around.

“I think there should be a lot of work put into the Pacific nations moving forward.

“You see a lot of talent coming out of there and how good the results at the World Cup with those teams so it’ll be good moving forward.”

Lafai recently returned to preseason training, completing the final week of the Dragon’s eight-week pre-Christmas training block. He has been impressed with the level of intensity his teammates have maintained throughout the initial block of training. 

“It’s been pretty tough, it’s only been a week but I’m already feeling it, so I don’t know how these guys have been doing it for the past seven weeks.

“Mary’s [coach Paul McGregor] let us know how tough the preseason is and hearing from the boys in the sheds and just seeing how many ice packs there are around the sheds, it’s been tough.”

The 26-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons of his 116-game NRL career. He featured in 24 games, scored seven tries and recorded nine try assists in 2017.

With the departure of Kangaroos centre Josh Dugan, Lafai is expected to thrive in 2018. However, despite Dugan’s departure, a host of young stars are lining up for backline positions.  

McGregor is faced with the unenviable task of trying to fit Lafai, Kurt Mann, Jai Field, Matt Dufty, Nene McDonald and Zac Lomax into the team’s four open backline slots. 

For Lafai, this increased level of competition means he cannot rely on his impressive 2017 to guarantee him a place in the Dragons starting team when they face Brisbane in the NRL season opener. 

“Dugan’s a big loss for us, but we’ve got the talent, we’ve got a lot of good backs competing out there, even myself I’ve got to compete again.

“Last year’s done, so we’ve got to build on it. I’ve got to earn that spot, earn the right to regain that centre spot again.

“I want to build on last year, don’t just be happy with last year’s results, build on it. Do everything on the field and in this preseason to get better and achieve more for the new year.

“[The main goal is] just being more consistent, cut out the unforced errors. There’s a lot of things but for me if I get the basics right, it can go a long way in improving my year.”