Education
Ma'afu was educated at Granville and Ashfield Boys High Schools in Sydney and played rugby league as a youngster in the Balmain district before starting up with rugby, aged 11.
Ma'afu was educated at Granville and Ashfield Boys High Schools in Sydney and played rugby league as a youngster in the Balmain district before starting up with rugby, aged 11.
Early Ma'afu first made his mark at representative level in the NSW Under-19 side in 2001 and 2002, later featuring in the Waratahs Academy through 2004 and 2005. He signed with the ACT Brumbies in 2006 and made his Super Rugby debut in 2007. In 2011, Ma'afu signed to join the Perth-based Western Force, to commence 2012.
Before the commencement of the 2013 Super Rugby season Ma'afu signed with the English Premiership side Northampton Saints ahead of the 2013/2014 season. On 13 June 2015, Maafu would join top French club Toulon in the Top 14 on a two-year contract. However, Ma'afu parted ways with Toulon by "mutual agreement" after being convicted of assault earlier this year.
Instead, Ma'afu was signed to Welsh region Cardiff Blues, following his release from Toulon. Subsequent tests in 2010 against England, Ireland, and South Africa completed a strong year for the prop. In 2011 Ma'afu was selected in the Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup, in New Zealand.