A 17 year-old member of the Warriors Under-20 squad has been found dead in Christchurch.

Tala Mailei had been training with the squad since last month and had returned home for Christmas.

Details of Mr Mailei's death remain unclear.

Warriors managing director Jim Doyle says everyone at the club is devastated.

Tala Mailei played for Aranui High School at this year's Rugby League national secondary schools' tournament