Sio reflects on adding to family legacy with Manu Samoa

It is a proud day for any player when they make their international debut but for Scott Sio, it meant contributing to a proud and long-standing family legacy forged by those before him with Manu Samoa.

“It was very special to pull on the Samoa shirt,” Sio said, a smile firmly in place. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and really humbled by it.”

The front-rower, who previously represented the Wallabies on 74 occasions, is immensely proud of his Samoan roots and has had the possibility of emulating his father in the back of his mind in recent years.

He explained: “With my family history, my dad having played for Manu Samoa and my sister just recently playing in the women’s rugby world cup, in terms of rugby history it was super important for us.

“My fiancé is also Samoan, so her and my little one were the ones that got me across the line in playing for Samoa. It let me represent them, represent our little family and add to that chapter that we’re building together.

“Looking over to the sidelines at games to see Nara, who’s such a proud Samoan, holding our son – I think, as a dad, that’s all the motivation you need.”

In 1991, Scott’s father David, also a prop, was integral to Western Samoa’s campaign. David’s journey with the pacific islands nation was so important to Sio’s childhood, it determined his name.

“It’s a nice story my parents used to like to tell everyone. I was born just before Samoa played Scotland in the ‘91 world cup and the story goes, my dad wanted to name me Manu and my mum wanted to name me Scott after Scotland.

“So, they put a bet on it. If Scotland won, I’d be called Scott and if Samoa won, I’d be called Manu. The rest is history, my name is my name. It’s pretty cool to have a story behind your name and know why it’s important to you, the symbolism behind it.

“Samoans tend to have a lot of symbolism around how they name their children, usually after important people or important events in their life. It’s nice to have your own story.”

From 1991 to 2025, what was his father’s reaction when he found out his son would be following in his footsteps?

Sio said: “I think he had a lot of pride. There must have been a nervousness too. I had a great career for the Wallabies, so you’re putting your legacy at risk as you put your hand up to challenge yourself in a new environment. My dad told me to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons and with the right motivation.

“He wanted me to represent Samoa, our culture and our traditions that he and my mother brought us up on. I think once he saw me donning the colours, he was immensely proud to know there’s another chapter with our family wearing the blue.”

Sio was in the Sandy Park physio room when the official phone call inviting him to be a member of the Manu Samoa squad came through. It was a profound moment for the 34-year-old.

Sio said: “I think anytime you can come into a team and add value in any way, shape or form, it’s important. I’ve been to two world cups before, and I know how extremely tough it can be to get there and be a part of it. So, any way that I could contribute and be a part of the team for Samoa, I knew it was going to be important.”

No one is lucky enough to be able to foresee where their career may take them. His Samoa debut is the newest step on the journey of Sio’s playing career but has it inspired any reflection? If he were able to speak to his younger self, what would he say?

Sio admitted: “That’s a tough one. For different stages of your life, you have different advice. I think if you asked me this five years ago, my answer would be quite different to now.

“If I was talking to young Scotty, I’d probably tell him to live in the moment, to keep enjoying things as much as you can. We forget to enjoy rugby for what it is sometimes. We pick up a ball to play, to make friends and enjoy something all together. You don’t want to lose the essence of that.

“So, I’d say, no matter what you’re doing, make sure you enjoy it.”