Cardiff have strengthened their pack with the signing of Tonga international Semisi Paea on a long-term contract.
The 27-year-old joins the Blue & Blacks from Moana Pasifika and will arrive in the Welsh capital ahead of pre-season.
He is the third new signing ahead of the club’s 150th season following on from Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan.
Paea has forged a reputation for his tireless work-rate and athleticism, and standing at 6ft 4ins and weighing 18 stone, brings a physical presence.
He has been brought in predominantly as a 4-6 but has the ability to play across the back-row, while the club continue to explore further reinforcements to the second-row.
Cardiff Rugby head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We’re really pleased that Semisi is joining Cardiff. The club has a great history with players from New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga coming over and making a great success of it so we’re looking forward to him arriving after the Nations Cup.
“Semisi’s physicality and work-rate are the standout attributes, but he takes nothing for granted and we were really impressed after meeting Semisi.
“He can slot into the second-row and back-row and has played a good amount of rugby, most recently at Bay of Plenty and Moana Pasifika.
“It’s also clear that his individual goals and values align closely with that of the club. He fights for what he wants in life, respect needs to be earned and he he enjoys his rugby and connecting with people.”
Paea played junior rugby for Ngongotaha Rugby Club and Rotorua Boys High School, in New Zealand. He came through the system at Bay of Plenty and played second-row for their title-winning Under-19 team in 2019.
He enjoyed a breakthrough year for the senior squad in 2021, also making his international debut for Tonga, where he now has 10 caps.
However, following a visa delay, he missed Bay of Plenty’s 2022 season and instead took an opportunity with New Jersey Free Jacks, where he played alongside Le Roux Malan and won an MLR title, making 13 appearances in the process.
During the past two seasons, Paea has established himself as an important figure on and off the pitch for Bay of Plenty and Moana Pasifika, where he has made 11 appearances in Super Rugby Pacific 2026.
Paea follows in the footsteps of a long line of Tongan players to star in the Welsh capital and he is relishing the opportunity.
He said: “This is an exciting new chapter in my rugby journey and I am thrilled to be joining such a well-respected club as Cardiff.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity and I am ready to give my absolute all for the club. I am looking forward to arriving in the summer and creating special memories with the team and its supporters.”