Sio hopes Cardiff move leads to World Cup hat-trick

New Cardiff prop Scott Sio hopes his move to Wales can help him play in a third World Cup next year, but for a different nation.

Sio, 35, joined the Arms Park side from Exeter and will face his former team-mates in a pre-season friendly in Cardiff on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The loose-head won 74 caps for Australia, starting in the 2015 World Cup final and also featuring in the 2019 tournament.

Sio switched to Samoa in 2025 and has so far played two internationals, helping them qualify for the World Cup next year in Australia.

"Things came to an end, unfortunately, at Exeter, and we were looking at new opportunities," said Sio.

"It's a goal of mine to go to the World Cup next year with Samoa.

"I knew I needed to still be playing good rugby at domestic level so that I can contribute to Samoa.

"So when the opportunity came up with Cardiff, it was great."

Samoa secured the final World Cup place through qualification in November 2025 and will face France, Japan and USA in their group in the main event.

Recent World Rugby regulations mean players can now represent another nation three years after their previous appearance for a country.

Sio played his final Test match for Australia against the All Blacks in September 2022 and was eligible for Samoa in 2025.

He will now aim to follow in the footsteps of his father David, who played for Western Samoa in the 1991 World Cup, while Scott's sister has also represented Samoa.

Sio also recognises the irony of this global tournament being held in Australia.

"That's funny in itself," said Sio. "It wasn't originally in my plans [playing for Samoa] when I went to Exeter.

"I was just grateful for the opportunities I had with the Wallabies and the career I had.

"I was looking forward to going on and establishing myself on this side of the world and playing my career out."

Sio revealed his family situation had prompted the change.

"Life has a funny way of leading you towards newer things," said Sio.

"There's sometimes different stages in your career where you have something different to play for, a different purpose and responsibility.

"I met my lovely wife, who is a proud Samoan Kiwi girl, over in London and we now have a son together.

"That was one of the big things: I wanted to represent them. I play for Samoa and the World Cup is the biggest stage; that would be a great opportunity to do that.

"My dad and sister have played for Samoa, we're a proud Samoan family, and it'd be nice to represent them back at home."

Samoa's rugby authorities and government have been at loggerheads with World Rugby about off-field matters but Sio hopes that can be resolved.

"It's one of those things where sport and politics are never supposed to mix, so I tend to focus on the sport," said Sio.

"That's what I get paid to do, and let the politics take care of itself. In due time, it always tends to sort itself out.

"World rugby needs a strong Samoa, especially heading into a World Cup in Australia where it's important the Pacific nations play well.

"There's a lot of Samoans, Tongans, Fijians in New Zealand and Australia that will want to come and watch the nations there.

"You want to be competitive, we don't want to just go there to take part."

Sio's signing is seen as potentially Cardiff's most significant for the new season as he prepares to help improved the scrum.

"One of the biggest things Cardiff want to pride themselves on is that set-piece," said Sio.

"Hopefully I can be a good cog in the wheel there and provide some experience."

Sio will battle with Danny Southworth and Rhys Barratt for starts but also help the young Welsh duo.

"They've got some up-and-coming loose-heads in Rhys and Danny who are pushing for higher honors with Wales," said Sio. "I will do anything I can do to help them."

Sio played for Exeter for four seasons and was part of the side that reached the Prem final in June 2026 before losing to Northampton.

Cardiff made the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs in the 2025-26 season and achieved Champions Cup qualification but Sio says he has been brought in to improve on that.

"I understand my role in the team and the experience Corniel van Zyl [Cardiff head coach] wants me to bring," said Sio.

"The greatest thing is seeing they're not happy with how last season went and they want to strive for better things.

"They understand it's a great stepping stone to where they want to be as a team. That growth mindset is important."

Before the URC season starts against Scarlets on Saturday, 26 September, Sio has that immediate reunion against Exeter.

"It's going to be bit of a battle against my old mates from Exeter when they come up to Cardiff," said Sio.

"I played a lot of rugby there, 80-odd games in three-and-a-half seasons, so we'll see how things go this weekend."