Career
Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing. From Titirangi, Meli began his rugby league career at the age of 9 when he joined the Avondale Wolves.
Auckland Warriors
Meli was then signed by the Auckland Warriors and made his first grade debut against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on 2 May 1999.
Due to a feeder arrangement with the Warriors, Meli also played several games for Brisbane Souths in the Queensland Cup. Meli played for Samoa in the 2000 World Cup.
In 2001 he then switched allegiance to New Zealand, playing in 14 test matches between 2001 and 2004. He played for the Warriors on the wing in their 2002 NRL Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Meli scored a club record 23 tries for the Warriors in the 2003 NRL season.
He scored 5 of those tries in a single finals game against the Canterbury Bulldogs, a feat still unbeaten in the finals. He was named the 2003 New Zealand Warriors’ Player of the Year. He played his 50th match for the club on 6 April 2003 and his 100th match against the Wests Tigers on 9 April 2005.
Street Helens
At the start of 2006 Meli joined Saint Helens.
He played for Street Helens on the wing in their 2006 Challenge Cup Final victory against the Huddersfield Giants. Street Helens reached the 2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against Hull Football Club and Meli played on the wing, scoring a try in Saints" 26-4 victory.
As 2006 Super League champions, Street Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers the Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge. Meli played on the wing in the Saints" 18-14 victory.
In his first three years at the club he acquired three Challenge Cup winning medals, a World Club Challenge winning medal and a Grand Final winning ring.
He also played in 2008"s Super League XIII Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos. Visa issues due to the United Kingdoms new requirements curtailed the start of his 2009 campaign, however these issues were suffered by many imports that season. He arrived back in the country five rounds late and was forced to start his season in the reserves.
At the start of 2010 Meli was granted compassionate leave to briefly return to New Zealand.
In 2008 Meli played for Samoa in the World Cup. Meli was named in the Samoan squad for the 2009 Pacific Cup.
Meli was selected to play for the Exiles by coach Brian McLennan. Francis was selected again to represent the Exiles by new coach Daniel Anderson, Meli started Game 1 on the wing and scored a try in the 18-10 loss to England.
Meli played for Super League side Salford Red Devils (formerly the Salford City Reds) for the 2014 season after signing a one-year contract at the club
Meli retired at the conclusion of the 2014 season after failing to be offered a new contract.
