In a big boost for Australian Rugby, emerging prop Scott Sio has signed a new three-year deal on Thursday that will see him remain eligible to play for Australia at the highest level of the game.
Sio made his Test match debut for the Wallabies in 2013 against New Zealand and has continued to represent his country on a consistent basis since then.
Sio was also one of the standout performers during the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, and had a starting spot in Australia’s final loss to the All-Blacks.
At only 24 years of age, Sio has a long career ahead of him and his new contract will see him through to the end of 2019 in Australia. Sio has also committed long term for the Brumbies, having already played 50 matches for the ACT-based club in the Super Rugby competition, after making his debut in 2012 against the Sharks in Canberra.
Sio also represented both the Australian Schoolboys, and Australian under 20s’ team before representing the Brumbies and Wallabies.
Sio said: “I couldn’t be happier to have my future sorted here in Australia and to be staying with the Brumbies. Since I first moved to Canberra from Sydney, I’ve always felt like the culture and the playing group was something special down here.”
“Our front row is incredibly competitive and supportive and we pride ourselves on our performance as a group every week.”
Sio also said he is now looking to cement his place in the Australian front row, after adding 11 matches to his total during a breakthrough 2015 international season.
“The World Cup was an amazing experience and is obviously the biggest stage in the game, so to get back there in three years’ time is a huge personal goal.
“We were beaten by a better team on the day in the Final, but the whole experience of the World Cup will hold us in good stead for the future. The boys are really hungry to build on that tournament and it’s a massive year with England coming to Australia, the Rugby Championship and a Grand Slam tour at the end of the year.
“Firstly, I’ve got to play at a consistently high level for the Brumbies and will hopefully get another opportunity to wear that gold jersey.”
Markus
Guest
Think you're right, I'm fairly sure Allan has played tighthead through the junior rep ranks. Or played both sides. I thought the same as you about him being considered a long term tighthead option for the Brumbies, which was why I was surprised to see him start every game through the NRC at loosehead. I know they are also keeping a strong eye on Tyrel Lomax in the junior ranks, though he is a few years away yet.
Markus
Guest
32 this year, so would have been about 28 when Sio first came in on an EPS contract. It would have been the perfect time to introduce a 20-21 year old prop fresh off a strong U20s campaign into the squad, and gradually give him more game time each season. If in that time he happened to overtake Robinson completely, all the better. But really all he had to do to prove a successful signing would be demonstrate he was stronger than Tilse for the reserve spot, which he managed in his first season with the Brumbies.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Fantastic news for Australian Rugby, the guy is a real talent. A couple of more Scott Sio's somewhere out there would be brilliant.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Nah, Weekes went straight from the Reds to the Rebels. He just had a year off cause they had Somerville.
Utah
Guest
Believe it or not, Robinson is only 31. Sio has been with the Brumbies since 2012, so was probably signed in 2011.
Utah
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised to see Alaalatoa tried at tight-head in due course at the Brumbies. I have a feeling he used to be a tight-head. Can anyone confirm this?
slaven
Guest
True enough. Hopefully that is what will happen at the Rebels this year. I just think he's been around awhile now, had a stint I think in Europe before coming to the Rebels and looks the best bet of our current TH's to make the jump up to Test level.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I like Weeks but he needs to be durable and have his work load managed if he can't be, injuries have cruelled him a number of times come Wallaby selection.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
In the scrum perhaps, but Kepu added quite a bit around the paddock as well. Even Slipper, touted for his work around the field, had nothing on Kepu in open play.
Markus
Guest
Robinson would have been near 30 at the time the Brumbies signed him, having a young prop in the squad for 2 seasons or so would have made for a good injury replacement and a seamless transition when he eventually retired or headed north. Of course you cannot keep everyone, but even without the benefit of hindsight I would definitely consider the Tahs' decision to re-sign Tilse for a 6th season instead of looking at one of the form scrummagers in the U20 ranks as a poor one.
slaven
Guest
great news. He and Slipper could form a great LH one two punch for years to come. Both relatively young and both with a fair bit of international experience already. As pointed out above, TH is the worry. Holmes is in career best form but will not be here next year. The young Reds TH looks promising but a long way to go before test ready. Laurie Weeks looks to be the best option to back up Holmes this year. Hopefully he gets a shot and can bring himself up to test standard under Mario.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The fact they stuck with Tilse without giving a guy like Sio a chance is the worry. They have brought a bunch of young props in this year, Orr, Sandell and Robertson. Looks like they may need to blood them sooner than they may have intended. Great news that Sio has signed and as much as I'd love him at the Tahs, I think it is great that he is staying with the Brumbies. Can see that Alan Alaalatoa has re-signed as well. So a couple of good stories coming out. Agree with Alex above that TH is the worry, especially as Peter says, when Holmes leaves next year. Shame we haven't kept his brother Mike as he has been added to the Crusaders bench this week.
jameswm
Roar Guru
You can't keep everyone. The Tahs might have had two settled props at that time and he got offered a better opportunity somewhere else. We've got Tilse and Benn Robbo anyway - what do we need Sio for?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Holmes is fine as good as Kepu in the scrum. The biggest issue is next year when Holmes leaves as well.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Indeed.
Markus
Guest
Also happy to see it confirmed that he has stuck with the Brumbies. I thought the Waratahs would have thrown quite a bit at Sio to lure him back to Sydney. How they ever let him walk in the first place is beyond me.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Fantastic News. The TH side of the scrum is a real worry though.... I would love to see Kepu brought back under Giteau's Law as the RESERVE tighthead but we still need a first-choice anchor who is dedicated and comes from within AU rugby. I'm not sure we have that at the moment, though Holmes has been pretty consistent.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Yes!!!
DJW
Guest
Excellent news.
PeterK
Roar Guru
great news