Salesi Finau
Tonga international dual-code rugby footballer
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Salesi Finau (born 5 May 1973)[1] is a Tongan former rugby footballer. He represented Tonga in both the rugby league and rugby union sides.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 5 May 1973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (16 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
Rugby league career
Salesi began his career with the Canberra Raiders,[2] and played in the Tonga national rugby league team at the 1995 World Cup.[3] After impressing during the tournament he signed for Warrington Wolves in the Super League,[4]
Rugby union career
Club
In late 1998 Finau signed for Welsh rugby union side Llanelli Scarlets under coach Gareth Jenkins.[5] Finau made 203 appearances for the side over the next six-year, becoming an instrumental team player, playing in 3 European Cup semi-finals and 2 Celtic League Titles, before ending his contract by mutual consent in September 2005.[6] He then signed for Bath Rugby under John Connolly,[7] spending a season at the West Country club before moving to French side Bourgoin.[8] Finau had a successful season at Bourgoin, and on completion announced that he had signed a 2-year contract for Cornish Pirates.[9] However, in June 2007, the club announced that they had agreed to release Finau from the deal when a family illness obliged him to return to his native Tonga.[10]
Country
Finau received at least 13 caps for the Tongan national rugby union side,[1] and played in the Tongan rugby sevens side at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.[11]
TV career
Salesi currently presents a cooking show on Television Tonga called 'Salsa with Salesi'.[12]
