Player Sonny Fai

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Sorry to be a pain in the arse, but looks like there’s footage of a catch up to mark the day on the instagram page. If anyone has the time, could they post it. Still having problems viewing

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEYQD00T7a8/?igsh=MWVrYTJ6OTF5eTYxZA==

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEYQD00T7a8/?igsh=MWVrYTJ6OTF5eTYxZA==

Thanks for that. A true hero in sacrificing himself to save others

 

[Vancent]

God bless Sonny.

 

[snake77]

It's always sad when this anniversary comes up. It is good seeing the thread active every year and the club paying their respects to Sonny is great to see.

Gone but not forgotten.

 

[hornbybrown]

He was going to be a great player. Boundless talent

 

[Noitall]

He was going to be a great player. Boundless talent

Even his friendship with Manu Vatuvei could have seen his future not take the turn it did with Sonny seemingly a genuinely good soul? Probably a long bow to draw but I bet those two brought some life to the club to be around

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

My recollection of him is vague - I just remember him being a talented up and comer that was destined for big things.

Can someone that followed him, give a bit of a run down of how he played; his style; best long term position; who you would compare him with recently?

And what was his ceiling? Every junior has big wraps but what was the realistic outlook? Solid first grader or Lauititi type superstar?

 

[Ref]

My recollection of him is vague - I just remember him being a talented up and comer that was destined for big things.

Can someone that followed him, give a bit of a run down of how he played; his style; best long term position; who you would compare him with recently?

And what was his ceiling? Every junior has big wraps but what was the realistic outlook? Solid first grader or Lauititi type superstar?

He was pretty close to the height and weight of Vatuvei and spent the majority of time on the wing but wasn’t a winger.
Was awesome there though and was almost as quick as Manu.

He just had to be in the team getting to grips with first grade.
To me and probably to most, his future was going to be as an edge or middle.

I would say he would have been closest in style to Eli Katoa but better.

Not quite the absolute flair of Ali Lauatiti or the supersonic talent of Leka Halasima but sublime skills, an off load, wingers pace, willingness and a work ethic.

However no doubt to me was one of our greatest Warriors forwards in waiting.

 

[Defence]

My recollection of him is vague - I just remember him being a talented up and comer that was destined for big things.

Can someone that followed him, give a bit of a run down of how he played; his style; best long term position; who you would compare him with recently?

And what was his ceiling? Every junior has big wraps but what was the realistic outlook? Solid first grader or Lauititi type superstar?

The three warriors juniors I’ve been most excited about would be Sj, Sonny, Leka- in that order.

 

[Matiunz]

still a nice tradition but also wonder how long something like this continues? Seeing he debut 3 years before SJ he would have retired a few years ago now- is there anyone left at the club from his time?

 

[Defence]

 

[mt.wellington]

Can someone that followed him, give a bit of a run down of how he played; his style; best long term position; who you would compare him with recently?

Didn't know Sonny personally but watched him many times as I had mates who played in rep games with him and were in the same BarterCard Cup team. His talent was unquestionable. Watching him play age grade footy he was clearly bigger, faster, fitter and more skillful than others his age. Even at age grade rep teams he stood out. I first saw him play BarterCard Cup for the Jetz and I think he had just turned 17yo. Playing at centre against men he was scoring tries. The next season he made the BarterCard All Stars team and two years later he made the inaugural Toyota Cup Team of the Year and his NRL debut.

I remember talking to Blake Ayshford and he told me that the Australian Colts team he played for thought they were going to walk all over the Kiwis and instead they got pumped with Sonny putting on an exhibition and carving them up.

I'm not going to pretend I know for certain that he would have dominated the NRL but he most certainly would have made an impact, injury free he would have had a long career and he most certainly would have left his mark in the NRL and the Kiwis. The other two Warriors players to make the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and NRL debuts in 2008 were Russell Packer and Ben Matulino. Sonny at the time was easily better than both...