It is testament to Fai's infectious personality that he would have such a profound impact on a seasoned veteran such as Price, despite only being at the infancy of his career. Potential: Sonny Fai played 15 matches for the Warriors, whose under-20s player of the year award is now named in his honour. But with his bubbly nature and unmistakable laugh, it was the same for all of his teammates. "I know people know me by my laugh but he's got an awesome laugh," Warriors great Manu Vatuvei said. "You would always crack up at him. "Off the field he was a real soft and gentle person who loved to laugh and when he was on the field training he was a different person."

Ten years ago today Fai disappeared into the surf at Bethells Beach, west of Auckland. Fai, just 20 at the time, never made it back to shore after going to the rescue of his younger brother and four cousins, who were caught in a rip. Despite extensive searches, his body has never been found. He was presumed drowned by the chief coroner in August, 2009. Vatuvei saw Fai as a "little brother" and the pain of losing him still feels fresh at times. It had a massive impact on us, losing a brother Manu Vatuvei Memories of the day he went missing, which happened the day before the Warriors were due to return from the Christmas break, and the ensuing aftermath remain clear.

Having fallen a game short of the grand final in 2008, much was expected of the Warriors the following season and they vowed to pay respect to Fai with their performances on the field. However, despite opening the campaign with consecutive wins, they finished in 14th place as the emotional toll of what happened caught up with them. "It had a massive impact on us, losing a brother," Vatuvei said. "It was a tough year to be honest, it was pretty hard. But every year we took it as inspiration and made sure that whenever we trained we trained like him and did everything 100 per cent." Loss: former Warriors captain Steve Price says barely a day goes by that he doesn't think about Sonny Fai. Credit:Jason Oxenham

For Price, it was not until he watched Vatuvei come to tears when asked about Fai in a television interview near the end of the 2009 season that he realised just how much it had affected the team. "I think we were all at home watching that exactly the same [way]. We're all big, tough guys and think you're handling it but you're not. "I'm really disappointed of our result that year ... Sonny deserved a lot more than that. But I think he appreciated how much it was hurting all of us, that showed how much he meant to us." Ten years is a long time in rugby league but Fai would probably still be playing today had tragedy not struck. His prospects on the field were as bright as his personality off it. Warriors under-20s player of the year in 2007 - an award which the club renamed the Sonny Fai Medal - the powerful back-rower made his NRL debut the following season, making 15 appearances before being named in the New Zealand and Samoa training squads for the 2008 World Cup.

Standing 192cm tall and tipping the scales at 109kg, with the speed of an outside back, he possessed incredible physical gifts which were complimented by a relentless work ethic and willingness to learn. "He took everything seriously, he always gave it 100 per cent every time he trained and everyone loved training with him," Vatuvei said. Loading "He was one of the strongest guys in the team and it just showed how talented he was, especially when he made his debut for the Warriors and carved up. Those are the kind of things an ultimate Warrior is and it was just sad we didn't see more of it." Price added: "He really did listen. He never took it for granted that he knew everything and he was real genuine. We got to a stage where he actually came to you and asked what you thought or 'can we do some of this'. He thrived on the information he was getting."

Just as important, he was a player others loved to be around. One of Price's fondest memories is when Fai, still attending De La Salle College, first travelled to Australia with the NRL squad and roomed with New Zealand league legend Ruben Wiki. "He absolutely idolised Rubes (Wiki) - he didn't know whether to call him 'Sir' or 'Mr', he was so respectful," Price recalled. "He was almost pinching himself that he was actually rooming with Ruben Wiki. I think he even said he didn't get any sleep, which is just really cool and that didn't change. He just brought that real infectious enthusiasm." In what has become a tradition, many of Fai's old teammates will post a tribute on social media to mark the anniversary. Those still in Auckland may visit Bethells Beach.

But he is never far from their thoughts, whatever the day. stuff.co.nz