[4][5] Covering for an injury to Beau Champion, Vaivai made his National Rugby League début in round 24 of the 2009 season, against the Penrith Panthers.

Vaivai joined Penrith for the remainder of the 2011 season, making his club début as a late call-up to cover for an injury to Luke Lewis.

It was revealed on 2 July 2018, that Vaivai had signed a new two-year contract extension to play and remain at Hull Kingston Rovers until at least the end of the 2020 rugby league season.

[11][12] It was announced on 23 May 2019, that Vaivai had joined the York City Knights on a one month loan deal with fellow Hull Kingston Rovers' teammate, Will Oakes.

[13] Qualifying through his American Samoan mother and grandmother, Vaivai made his début for the United States in their 2016 America's Cup match against Jamaica.