Sonny Fai Day draws huge response

Sonny Fai Day – January 4 – has today attracted an overwhelming response from tens of thousands of people - players, Vodafone Warriors members and fans - he touched in some way.

It was on this day four years ago that the 20-year-old Fai, one of New Zealand’s brightest young sporting talents, disappeared after rescuing his brother and four cousins who had got into difficulty in the surf at notorious Te Henga (Bethells Beach) on Auckland’s west coast. His body was never found.

Fai, Vodafone Warrior No 138, made 15 NRL appearances for the club in his maiden first-grade season in 2008 after starting the year as a foundation Vodafone Junior Warrior in the NYC’s debut campaign.

His loss was marked on Friday with an RIP tribute through the Vodafone Warriors' website, Facebook and Twitter outlets.

CLICK TO WATCH SONNY FAI TRIBUTE

By this morning (Saturday) the initial post had been seen by almost 83,000 visitors to the club's Facebook page. More than 630 comments were left.

There was also an enormous response on the club's Twitter account including tweets from a number of current and former Vodafone Warriors and other players (see below).

CLICK TO WATCH 3 NEWS STORY

These have been some of the comments from current and former Vodafone Warriors as well as Kiwi hooker Issac Luke.

One of Fai’s closest friends Ben Matulino first tweeted on Thursday night:

Keeping the FAIth - Spare a thought for my brother tomorrow, the actual #TrueWarrior #138 #SonnyFai CLICK TO SEE IMAGE SENT WITH TWEET

These have been among the comments on Twitter:

@steevprice: Sonny Fai is & will always b my most favourite @NZ_Warriors.Blessed 2 know such an incredible human being.Never forget u Son Son

@steevprice: Love this boy forever.Will never ever forget u Son Son??
CLICK TO SEE IMAGE SENT WITH TWEET

@ManuVatuvei: Will never forget our Brother! Will always be with us 4eva #BrotherLoveDoxs CLICK TO SEE IMAGE SENT WITH TWEET

@issacluke_14: Rest In Peace bro. #never4gotten @BenMatulino
CLICK TO SEE IMAGE SENT WITH TWEET

@issacluke_14: Chur to my bro. Looking over all the brothers We are all blessed to have you in our lives g. Never 4get you. #RIPSONNYFAI #brothers #warrior

@CVUNA: Il never forget that SMILE?? #SONNYFAI #LostButNotForgotten #Warrior138

@krisnan_inu: Biggest S/O 2d MAN with the biggest heart n d best smile I knw. #SONNYFAI #RIPSONNYFAI #brothers CLICK TO SEE IMAGE SENT WITH TWEET

@GRovelli: Sonny Fai superstar on the field and a fantastic person off ! Always remember Guitar Hero and The Vengaboys fun times Rip Sonny

@lewi_brown: RIP son son #warrior138 #sonnyfai