TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 19 January 2009

RE: Media Summary Tuesday 13 January to Monday 19 January 2009

Sonny Fai memorial service not until body found: A memorial service is unlikely to be held for missing hero Sonny Fai until his body is found. A land, sea and air search continued yesterday for the 20-year-old league star, swept out to sea at west 's Bethells Beach a fortnight ago after saving his 13-year-old brother and four cousins from treacherous rips. "Most of my extended family members have probably wanted to do a memorial service but I said no, (not) until we find his body," Sonny's sister Lalelei Fai told Sunday News.

Champion Kiwis side coat-tail on yachting: Three months after they produced one of the nation's 2008 feel- good stories, the Kiwis will finally get an overdue chance to celebrate their remarkable world cup league triumph on home soil. The entire world cup-winning squad, staff and management will reunite on February 1 for a two- day celebration of their 34-22 victory over Australia in the November 22 final at Brisbane. Festivities will culminate in a civic reception at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

Bluey extends stay at Leeds: Former New Zealand coach Brian McClennan has agreed to a one-year contract extension as head coach of champions . McClennan, 46, will stay at Headingley until the end of the 2010 season, having succeeded Tony Smith in 2007, the BBC reported. McClennan led Leeds to victory in the Carnegie World Club Challenge and Super League Grand Final - the Rhinos' second straight triumph - in his first season.

Wiki gives youth a hand: The Otara youth group 274 has been bolstered by a donation of $10,000 from Kiwis and Warriors rugby league legend . Wiki, who was born and bred in Otara, presented the youth group with a donation during a weekly junior touch module at Ngati Otara Park last month. Team leader Allan Va’a says he’s blown away by Wiki’s contribution.

Sonny Fai memorial service not until body found A memorial service is unlikely to be held for missing New Zealand Warriors hero Sonny Fai until his body is found.

A land, sea and air search continued yesterday for the 20-year-old league star, swept out to sea at west Auckland's Bethells Beach a fortnight ago after saving his 13-year-old brother and four cousins from treacherous rips.

"Most of my extended family members have probably wanted to do a memorial service but I said no, (not) until we find his body," Sonny's sister Lalelei Fai told Sunday News. "I believe he's going to turn up, it's a matter of patience and believing in your faith."

Lalelei, 28, said searchers included members of their Samoan community, plus Tongan and Maori communities.

"We've had Maori kaumatua out there blessing the land and praying," she said. "I think one of the kaumatua have approached the council to push for a rahui, for the closing of the beach no fishing and swimming there until we find his body."

Lalelei supported that call.

Tributes and support were continuing to flow in from people profoundly touched by Sonny's act of selfless courage. Donations had been made from all avenues to help fund the search. "I've had little girls give me cards with $20 inside out at Bethells," Lalelei said. "We've hired divers and boats. I've been at the beach every day, and we're not going to give up until we find him."

Lalelei said family, including her parents, were still clinging to hope.

"I don't want to say he's dead," she said. "I'm preparing myself for the worst-case scenario. If he comes back alive I'll praise God, miracles do happen."

Lalelei was furious at the circulation earlier this week of hoax texts saying Sonny had been found alive. She had returned from her daily search at Bethells to find the Fai family house at south Auckland packed with people hoping she had come with the news Sonny was being treated at Auckland hospital.

"I sat down and told everyone, no we're still looking for him," Lalelei said. "Everyone just broke down and cried. They re-lived everything on that Sunday afternoon (of Sonny's disappearance), and it was so hurtful for people, for mum and dad."

(Source: Lee Umbers, Sunday News, 18 January 2009)

Champion Kiwis side coat-tail on yachting Three months after they produced one of the nation's 2008 feel-good stories, the Kiwis will finally get an overdue chance to celebrate their remarkable world cup league triumph on home soil.

The entire world cup-winning squad, staff and management will reunite on February 1 for a two- day celebration of their 34-22 victory over Australia in the November 22 final at Brisbane. Festivities will culminate in a civic reception at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

Weeks of planning for the cash-strapped NZRL have paid off, with Australian clubs all agreeing to release their players for the weekend. Only the English-based and Thomas Leuluai will be unable to attend.

The league cannot afford a civic parade, and craftily, are piggy-backing on the upcoming Louis Vuitton yacht series by using big screens and AV equipment erected for that series, which starts on January 31.

The weekend will also include a low-key annual awards ceremony where the New Zealand player and young player of the year will be named during a function, to be screened by Sky, at the Otahuhu rugby league clubrooms at Henham Park.

One of the key elements of the weekend is launching a new initiative to boost playing numbers in the key six to 12 age bracket, called Kids to Kiwis and Prime will televise live a launch clinic at Otahuhu.

The Kiwis will assemble for a team celebration dinner on the Saturday night, and coach Steve Kearney says the weekend will form part of his planning for May's Anzac test, where Australia has its first chance of revenge. He's likely to stage a light training session.

Sunday will be spent at Otahuhu running open coaching clinics and attending the awards function, which in recent years has been a major headache for the league, who have struggled to attract Australia-based players to come home for an evening function.

"Everything has only just come together this week but now, with the launch of Kids to Kiwis and the civic reception at the Viaduct Harbour, the public will have the chance to celebrate the greatest success in history," declared NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden. "It's also a chance for the players to thank the public for their support in helping them reach our game's pinnacle."

The league will leverage their possession of the world cup by sending it on a two-month tour of districts in February to encourage kids to register for the new season.

"This is all about enjoying the success and trying to use it to give the game a much stronger base at grass roots level," Haffenden said. "We need more kids playing rugby league in the six to 12 range."

(Source: Steve Kilgallon, Sunday Star-Times, 18 January 2009)

Bluey extends stay at Leeds Former New Zealand rugby league coach Brian McClennan has agreed to a one-year contract extension as head coach of Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

McClennan, 46, will stay at Headingley until the end of the 2010 season, having succeeded Tony Smith in 2007, the BBC reported.

McClennan led Leeds to victory in the Carnegie World Club Challenge and Super League Grand Final - the Rhinos' second straight triumph - in his first season.

"I am really pleased I have extended my stay in Leeds," said McClennan.

The Auckland-born coach, currently in Jacksonville, Florida, added: "We have a fantastic set-up here and I am proud to be part of it."

With the Rhinos seeking a third successive Super League title, McClennan had a warning for the club's rivals.

"I know everyone is doing their best to make the team a success," he stated.

"I will do the best I can for everyone connected with the club to achieve success in the coming years."

The Rhinos finish off their week-long training camp in the United States on Saturday with a challenge game against Super League newcomers Salford City Reds at Hodges Stadium, Jacksonville.

(Source: NZPA, 14 January 2009)

Wiki gives youth a hand The Otara youth group 274 has been bolstered by a donation of $10,000 from Kiwis and Warriors rugby league legend Ruben Wiki.

Wiki, who was born and bred in Otara, presented the youth group with a donation during a weekly junior touch module at Ngati Otara Park last month.

Team leader Allan Va’a says he’s blown away by Wiki’s contribution.

Wiki is an "awesome" role model for the group’s kids, Mr Va’a says.

"Ruben has shown us with the right support from family, commitment, determination and hard work you can achieve at the highest level.

"His life is an inspirational signpost to our young men and women of Otara.

"If you come from the ‘hood’ you can still achieve if you believe," he says.

The money was raised at Wiki’s testimonial luncheon held in August and which celebrated his retirement from rugby league.

The donation will go towards the 274 sports mentoring programme which is based on leadership development through the vehicle of sports.

The youth group was set up in 2006 in response to the issue of youth gangs in south Auckland.

It operates weekly street clubs in Otara and provides sporting opportunities for at-risk youth.

Mr Va’a says Wiki supports 274 in its efforts to provide the same opportunity and inspiration to Otara’s troubled youth that he once had.

"Ruben is a real-life hero and a legend to the whole community of Otara."

(Source: Manukau Courier, 13 January 2009)