Warriors star Fai feared drowned

Sonny Fai was set to return to training on Monday after the Christmas break

New Zealand Warriors forward Sonny Fai is missing, presumed drowned, after being swept out to sea.

The 20-year-old had been swimming with family members at Bethells Beach near Auckland on Sunday.

The group got into difficulties in strong currents and although rescuers managed to save three others, there has been no sign of Fai.

"This is absolutely devastating for everyone who knows Sonny," Warriors manager Don Mann told the club website.

Fai had been due to rejoin his NRL team-mates at Mt Smart Stadium on Monday for their first training session of the year following their Christmas-New Year break.

Instead, all players, coaching staff and club officials helped with the search, including providing a helicopter to scour the coastline.

The National Rugby League has offered grief counselling for Fai's family and team-mates.

"There is only one place we wanted to be today - that was out at Bethells Beach helping the family in any way we could and also supporting each other at this terrible time," added Mann.

The promising youngster made 15 appearances for the Warriors since his NRL debut last season.

A Junior Kiwi from 2004-07, Fai also played for the Junior Warriors in the National Youth Competition last season, scoring five tries in 10 games.

He was named the club's Under-20 Young Player of the Year in 2007 after scoring 14 tries in 21 games for the Auckland Lions in the New South Wales Premier League.