Lalelei Fai. Photo / Martin Sykes
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The Warriors' season launch yesterday took time out to remember teammate Sonny Fai - missing and presumed drowned - as his sister gave a moving speech.
Lalelei Fai said there were times when the family struggled to go on after the loss of the 20-year-old who was a
fun-loving and family-loving brother.
"But then we think of what my brother would want," she said.
She and another of his three sisters had pestered Sonny to introduce them to Warriors players that they had a crush on, she said.
"I'm thinking he's smiling, looking down on us today eating with the Warriors and thinking his sisters finally got their wish," she said.
Fai's feats on the paddock were shown on the big screen, with footage taken for the club's One Tribe show when he was interviewed by the captain Steve Price after he made his debut against Parramatta last year.
He did not let on to family that he had been selected for the top side - they expected to see him run out for the under-20s and were stunned when he ran on in the NRL team.
"I don't want us to mourn or be sad," Lalelei said. She had his mobile telephone and the first time she switched it on the words that came up were "Live life to the fullest".
Fai's body has not been found eight weeks after he went missing in surf at Bethells Beach.
The Kiwis have taken the World Cup to the family home in South Auckland and Kiwis and Samoan star Nigel Vagana last week presented the family with a memorial book featuring thoughts from players from all 16 NRL clubs.
