Salesi Fili Finau

  • 52Age
  • 1Caps
  • 739Wallaby Number
PositionFlanker
Date Of BirthJanuary 4, 1972
Place of BirthNuku'alofa, Tonga
SchoolHomebush Boys' High School
Debut ClubWest Harbour
ProvinceNSW
Debut Test Match1997 Wallabies v New Zealand, 3rd Test Dunedin
Final Test Match1997 Wallabies v New Zealand, 3rd Test Dunedin

Biography

A fast, mobile and aggressive flanker, Fili Finau was born in Tonga and attended Homebush High School in Sydney’s inner-west. In 1990 he was selected for Australian Schools before he joined the West Harbour Club.

Three years later he debuted for New South Wales against the ACT in Canberra and went on to win selection on the short Wallaby tour to North America and France at the end of the year. He played in five uncapped matches on that tour but was not selected in any of the Test match squads.

In 1997 injuries to Matt Cockbain and Daniel Manu opened the door for Finau to return to the Wallaby squad and he made his Test debut against New Zealand in Dunedin.

Highlights

1990

Represented Australian Schools against New Zealand Schools and was chosen in the squad to tour the U.K. and Europe.

1997

Finau won his one Test cap in the run-on XV at blindside flanker in the 3rd Test, 24-36 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin.

Salesi Fili Finau profile