Cardiff Rugby have announced the signing of Tongan international forward Semisi Paea from Super Rugby side Moana Pacifica.

He is the third new signing ahead of the club’s 150th season following Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan.

A real giant of a forward, Paea stands at 6’4” and weighs 18 stone, bringing real physicality to the Cardiff pack.

Possessing the ability to play second row and all across the back row, Paea supplements the back five of the scrum for the Blue and Blacks.

“This is an exciting new chapter in my rugby journey and I am thrilled to be joining such a well-respected club as Cardiff,” Paea said.

“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.”

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.

“We’re really pleased that Semisi is joining Cardiff,” head coach Corniel van Zyl added.

“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.”

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.