Family asks for Sonny Fai's lost memento

Lalelei Fai (L) and Jenna Frost at the game. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The jersey Sonny Fai wore on his Warriors debut was taken from his family's home the day after he disappeared at Bethells Beach, his family has revealed.

Speaking at the Warriors 26-18 victory over the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium last night, sister Lalelei Fai said the jersey - featuring the words "138th Warrior Sonny Fai" - was among items that went missing after friends sat in his bedroom to remember him.

"We want it back," Lalelei said. "We don't care who took it. They probably took it so they had something to remind them of Sonny but they need to bring it back to us. We don't care about the other stuff."

Lalelei and other members of Sonny's immediate family watched Steve Price's 300th first-grade game, at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium, begin with a minute's silence for the promising 20-year-old, who went missing in January when trying to save his brother Gillesbie and four cousins from the surf.

Sonny's mother Tausili, another sister Tuli, aunt and three nephews were also there. Sonny's girlfriend Jenna Frost arrived with her mother.

His father Falelua, Gillesbie and a third sister Colleen were too upset to attend the game.

As the Warriors ran on to the pitch and went into a huddle - with a symbolic space for Sonny - for the minute's silence, his relatives rose and began to cry. The tears continued through the huddle and subsided only once play began.

"When the boys ran out it was so hard because he wasn't running out with them," said Tausili.

"I miss him so much, I can feel him here, he's helping the boys."

Lalelei said: "It brought it all back when he wasn't there."

The Warriors didn't need to look far for reminders of Sonny.

A photo of him was placed above the dressing room door - the last thing they saw before running out - and his signature and club number 138 were embroidered on their playing jerseys.

The Warriors are planning a full celebration of his life during their round four match against the Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium on April 5.

"It will be more upbeat," chief executive Wayne Scurrah said.

"It will be more about celebrating him and his heritage rather than focusing on the tragedy."

A memorial service was held at the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu last Monday and a second service was held at Bethells Beach the next day.

Last night Price became the 11th player in 101 years of Australian rugby league to play 300 first-grade games.