Team salutes fallen Warrior

[The Colonel]

<H1>Team salutes fallen Warrior

By JIM KAYES - Stuff.co.nz


Last updated 07:50 10/03/2009
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/2238569/Team-salutes-fallen-Warrior#

GEOFF DALE
HONOURED: The Warriors will wear Sonny Fai's name above their hearts this season, stitched into their jerseys along with his club number, 138.




The Warriors will wear Sonny Fai's name above their hearts this season, stitched into their jerseys along with his club number, 138, a packed memorial service has been told.

The team will also stand for a minute's silence before Saturday's NRL opener against Parramatta at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium to remember Fai, who is believed to have drowned after he went missing rescuing his brother and four cousins at Bethells Beach, West Auckland, in January.
A who's who of the league community were among about 1000 people who spilled out of the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu and filled a downstairs room for the service yesterday.
Warriors teammate Jerome Ropati, one of 17 speakers during the four-hour service, said the players missed their mate but that was nothing compared to the loss suffered by Fai's family and partner Jenna Frost.
"I'd like to thank the family for showing the strength and courage it takes to endure," Ropati said. "We can't comprehend what you are going through but we can learn from your conduct."
Ropati joked about Fai's infatuation with his physique and recounted how he had bought a dog he thought was a pit bull, only to learn when it failed to grow that it was a "sausage dog".
"The more you speak of Sonny the more you smile, because those are the memories he left behind," Ropati said.
The Warriors turned out in force yesterday with former skipper Ruben Wiki, current captain Steve Price, club stalwarts Wairangi Koopu and Logan Swann and former All Blacks coach John Hart, now a Warriors director, among those at the service.
A tearful Wiki urged those who were with Fai when he disappeared to be strong, and Fai's parents, grandfather, a brother and two of his sisters also gave emotional eulogies.
There were also performances from New Zealand Idol winner Rosita Vai, one of Fai's cousins, and rhythm and blues singers Adeaze.
Former Kiwis prop Peter Brown, who had managed Fai since he signed with the Warriors aged 14, said Fai was an inspiration in South Auckland.
"The community has lost a real role model. I just hope that you are at peace."

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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/2238569/Team-salutes-fallen-Warrior

Always want to see the Eels win, but f**k me if this isn't one game I could live with out one....

 

[Stagger eel]

yeah same...

it will be a challenge of epic proportions for our boys and I won't be disheartened if things don't go our way.

 

[Twizzle]

if this doesn't fire up the kiwis, nothing will

 

[forward pass]

Ropati joked about Fai's infatuation with his physique and recounted how he had bought a dog he thought was a pit bull, only to learn when it failed to grow that it was a "sausage dog".

:lol::lol: Sounds like he was a real character.

I will be happy either way after this match !!

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

probably the biggest danger to us this weekend more than anything else.

RIP Sonny

 

[planeteels]

All due respect to Sonny and Family and Friends.. RIP to him and blessings to the family etc..

But

I won't accept an Eels loss based on some alleged excuse that another team was hyped.

 

[WA Eel]

It's great that the warriors are honouring their mate, but I still want to see an Eels win.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

I am starting to worry about our habit of being party poopers.

 

[JessEel]

All due respect to Sonny and Family and Friends.. RIP to him and blessings to the family etc..

But

I won't accept an Eels loss based on some alleged excuse that another team was hyped.

Surely "Hype" is one thing, but playing with the pride and passion of a fallen mate is a whoooooooooooooooooooooooole other?

 

[FUIFUI_MOIMOI]

warriors are going to be a really good test...

i think ill be concentrating more on injuries then the scoreline........

always a concern when you play the warriors.

 

[planeteels]

Surely "Hype" is one thing, but playing with the pride and passion of a fallen mate is a whoooooooooooooooooooooooole other?

Glass Half Empty or Glass Half Full.... it still isn't a a reason to justify a loss

 

[Jake the snake]

If I could pick one game to lose with a Guarantee that we would be in the top 4, then I would choose this game. You've got to feel for the Sonnys Family.

If our attitude is great but we lose than I could accept that, Just for this game.

Warriors will be putting everything on the line for Sonny. I don't think we can match that kind of angry forward pack.

 

[The Colonel]

Glass Half Empty or Glass Half Full.... it still isn't a a reason to justify a loss

It isn't about justifying the loss though....... last year we got pasted in round two 30-16, a week after what should have been a morale boosting come from behind win against the Dogs.

If we go down showing double the amount of commitment we did last year, to a side who will be running on pure emotion for a good deal of this match I'll be more than happy to accept a loss. A win would be fantastic and a great way to start the season but I won't be kicking the dog and demanding changes unless we play like we did last year. Round Two would be a different story.

The odds of us winning are rather short considering what is expected to be a 25,000 strong crowd who will be very keen to honour the loss of one of their own.

 

[planeteels]

It isn't about justifying the loss though....... last year we got pasted in round two 30-16, a week after what should have been a morale boosting come from behind win against the Dogs.

If we go down showing double the amount of commitment we did last year, to a side who will be running on pure emotion for a good deal of this match I'll be more than happy to accept a loss. A win would be fantastic and a great way to start the season but I won't be kicking the dog and demanding changes unless we play like we did last year. Round Two would be a different story.

The odds of us winning are rather short considering what is expected to be a 25,000 strong crowd who will be very keen to honour the loss of one of their own.

I agree that there won't be a need for mass culling or the like after Round 1.. but .. i still don't subscribe the the theories that some of you do about justifying why we shouldn't be upset about a loss..

I will agree to disagree

23 years of accepting mediocrity (for the most part) is the reason we haven't climbed everest. 1 excuse leads to another and another..


in regards to odds.. i don't pay that much attention to them either.. we only have to look back to the unloseable 2001 Grand Final to see what odds really mean in the scheme of things

 

[sportive cupid]

Agreed ,agreed Planet.

 

[Suitman]

I also agree with Planet.

They will go into the match with a certain mindset. Regardless of the motivation, we have to be equally or better motivated to play OUR game, and not get caught up in the hysteria and sorrow that will indeed instill a certain mindset for their fallen mate.
Play our game. That's all we have to worry about.

Suity

 

[The Colonel]

I agree that there won't be a need for mass culling or the like after Round 1.. but .. i still don't subscribe the the theories that some of you do about justifying why we shouldn't be upset about a loss..

I will agree to disagree

23 years of accepting mediocrity (for the most part) is the reason we haven't climbed everest. 1 excuse leads to another and another..


in regards to odds.. i don't pay that much attention to them either.. we only have to look back to the unloseable 2001 Grand Final to see what odds really mean in the scheme of things

It is far from just about excuses though big fella..... I go into the game on Saturday wanting and expecting a win. At the end of the day though, it is just a game and there is always next week for us. ;-)

 

[planeteels]

It is far from just about excuses though big fella..... I go into the game on Saturday wanting and expecting a win. At the end of the day though, it is just a game and there is always next week for us. ;-)

Again.. accepting mediocrity.. what is the famous saying that has gone around Parra Stadium in Round 26 of every season ?? something along the lines of "there's always next year"

at 4million dollars plus a year is it just a game?? maybe we should send that to fitzy when we ask for just another 7million dollars so the boys can play just a game??

hehehehe

 

[Suitman]

Again.. accepting mediocrity.. what is the famous saying that has gone around Parra Stadium in Round 26 of every season ?? something along the lines of "there's always next year"

at 4million dollars plus a year is it just a game?? maybe we should send that to fitzy when we ask for just another 7million dollars so the boys can play just a game??

hehehehe

Sounds like you're fired up this Jas!! I like it!!

:thumb

Suity

 

[The Colonel]

Again.. accepting mediocrity.. what is the famous saying that has gone around Parra Stadium in Round 26 of every season ?? something along the lines of "there's always next year"

at 4million dollars plus a year is it just a game?? maybe we should send that to fitzy when we ask for just another 7million dollars so the boys can play just a game??

hehehehe

The words callous prick would form in my mind if I didn't know you like I did......:lol: