Growing up in the inner west suburbs of Sydney with two Samoan parents, Scott Sio always knew that rugby “ran in our blood”.

He started playing for West Juniors, a youth branch of the historic West Harbour Pilots, at around eight years old.

“The first time you pick up a rugby ball is to make friends and build a community,” explained Sio. “I definitely got the sense of that when I started playing.”

Sio’s father, David, was capped for Samoa in the ’80s and ’90s, including during the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

“That was a big driver for me. As you get older, you always want to emulate what your father did.”

Sio earned a scholarship to attend Trinity Grammar, where his talent saw him selected for the Australian Schoolboys and representing Australia Under-20s at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, where the Aussies took home the bronze medal.

He then picked up a contract with the Brumbies, where he spent 11 seasons and racked up 121 appearances. Sio also made his debut for Australia during his time there, against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup.

“I was fortunate enough to debut in Sydney against the All Blacks in 2013,” he recounted. “At the time we got smoked, so I don’t really remember much of it. I was quite nervous obviously, heading onto the field, but it’s a moment you know you’ll never forget.”

Sio was capped 74 times for the Wallabies, as well as going to two World Cups with the side, an experience he says is something he “doesn’t ever take for granted.”

More recently, Sio represented Samoa in their World Cup qualifying matches against Namibia and Belgium.

“My wife and son are Samoan, and with my dad having played for the Manu Samoa and my sister playing for the Manu Sina, you want to pull on the jersey for a different reason.

“I’m at a different time in my career, with a young family, and it’s special to be able to represent them and our culture.”

Following his move over the Sevens Bridge this summer, Cardiff poses a new chapter in Sio’s illustrious career after signing from Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership.

“To be in a new city, a new team, to challenge myself against some of the best players in the world. Wales has such a rich rugby history, and Cardiff is no different. I mean, you can go through an extensive list of greats to have played for this club.”

“I’m really big on rivalries too. At Brumbies, there was the Waratahs, and obviously at Exeter playing against Saracens.

“I know people definitely get around Welsh derbies, so I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

“With the way that the team built last season, it’s definitely exciting to be able to see if we can not only replicate, but go up another level, another step from as a team.”