Sonny+Fai

Sonny Fai was a New Zealand Rugby League player until he was tragically killed while saving his younger brother and cousin from a strong rip at Te Hanga (Bethells) beach off the coast of Auckland. Sonny Fai was a twenty year old rugby league star destined for great things and was almost certain to be kiwi Rugby League Player. Born 20 march 1988 sonny was a bright young child and was playing with a Rugby ball by the time he was two. While playing for the Mangere East Hawks in 2004 He was scouted and signed to Train with the Warriors development squad and to play with the Counties Manakau Jetz at the tender age of sixteen. He later left the club and was a free agent until the Auckland Lions signed him up to play in the NSWRL league. Fai then Made the Junior Kiwis and was signed up to play for the warriors under 20 Toyota cup team. He made his NRL debut on the 23 March 2008 against the Parramata Eels at Mount Smart stadium. He played 15 games scored five tries and got 20 points. Fai went missing around Seven P.M after being caught in a rip while at Te Hanga (Bethells) beach trying to save his younger brother and cousin and he drowned in the process and he saved two lives. The Warriors Rugby League club have kept Fai on there team roster for 2009 in honour of Sonny Fai and they also wore black arm bands in honour and kept his signature on there jerseys with his official team number. Sonny Fai was a great rugby league player and great hero. He may be gone but never forgotten.

By Sean Mulcahy

Sonny Fai was an up and coming rugby league player, he played for the junior warriors and the warriors, some people thought he would go far really really far, but thats not why he is my hero. Sonny Fai isn't my hero for his league ability he is my hero because on the 4th of January 2009 {aged 20} he went into a horrible rip Te Hanga beach not for himself but in the attempt to save his younger brother and his cousin. He was successful but he died in the process some people said he was nearly famous why did he do that? well that was just the type of person Sonny was. He was a bright kid in his early life and only played 1 senior game for his junior club the Mangere East Hawks before being promotedto the Counties Manakau Jetz in the Bartercard Cup he later played for the Auckland in the 2007 NSWRL Premier Leauge. Sonny was a warriors developement player since 2003. The New Zealand Warriors Rugby League Club have, in honour of Fai, kept his name on the playing roster for the 2009 season; in accordance with their team motto Keeping the Faith The warriors wore black armbands for their opening NRL match of the 2009 season, as well as jerseys embroidered with Fai's signature and official team number in honour of him. Anyone that knew Sonny was sadden by the news given by Chief coroner Neil McLean who on the 13th of August announced that sonny Fai had drowned. So remember Sonny Fai not as the league player but as a person who gave up his life to save others. Sonny Fai {born 20 March 1988 died 4 January 2009 aged 20} gone but never forgotten.

By Rory Mac Donald

Sonny Fai