A coroner has found that New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Sonny Fai drowned.
Fai disappeared into surf at Bethells Beach near Auckland in January after going to the rescue of relatives who were caught in a rip. His body has not been found.
Judge Neil MacLean said Fai had drowned on January 4.
"Sonny Fai died when he succumbed to the surf conditions and drowned, despite extensive and intensive efforts of recovery," he said at an inquest in Auckland Coroner's Court today.
