| Birth Date: | 1973 5, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga |
| Height: | 1.83m (06feet) |
| Weight: | 103kg (227lb) |
| Year1start: | 1994 |
| Year2start: | 1995 |
| Year2end: | 1997 |
| Club1: | Canberra Raiders |
| Club2: | Warrington Wolves |
| Appearances1: | 1 |
| Points1: | 0 |
| Points2: | 44 |
| Teama: | Tonga |
| Yearastart: | 1995 |
| Appearancesa: | 2 |
| Pointsa: | 4 |
| Module: |
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.
Finau in Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga.
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]
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]
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]
Salesi currently presents a cooking show on Television Tonga called 'Salsa with Salesi'.[12]