Warriors rugby league legend Ruben Wiki said Sonny Fai was like a little brother to him.
Wiki today joined the search for his missing teammate, who is presumed to have drowned after being caught in a rip while rescuing his younger brother in wild surf at Bethells Beach on Auckland's west coastline on Sunday evening.
Wiki, who flew into Auckland from holiday, said he formed a close bond with the 20-year-old Fai because they were room-mates on tour.
"To me for the last four years I got to be a part of his life, so he is like a little brother," Wiki told TV3.
Fai first roomed with Wiki when he was named 18th man for the Warriors' last match of the season against Manly in 2005.
It was an indication that the youngster, then only 17, figured highly in the Warriors' future plans, though it was not until March last year that he made his National Rugby League debut.
Fai had admitted to being awestruck rooming with Wiki.
Wiki said he would always have lasting memory of Fai.
"That big smile he always had everyday at training. It's pretty sad but we still have our hopes and hopefully he comes back to his family soon."
Surf lifeguards continued the search for Fai today, without success.
The lifeguards did shoreline and coastline searches this morning and again after lunch.
They plan to continue the search again tomorrow morning, said Dean Storey, manager at Surf Life Saving Northern Region.
"We expect to continue the search each morning for the rest of the week," Mr Storey said.
A member of the Fai family, Sepi Paulo, said family members were devastated.
"It will help greatly for the grieving process if we can find his body," he said.
Today's searchers included two busloads of fans who organised themselves through social networking site Bebo.
