Tom Hooper admits he’s never been one to shy away from a challenge – and now the bruising Australian flanker is ready to bring his trademark physicality to English rugby’s unforgiving heartland.
At just 24, Hooper has swapped Canberra for Devon, signing with Exeter in what promises to be one of the most intriguing moves of the Premiership season.
The back row enforcer arrives as part of Rob Baxter‘s ambitious recruitment drive, one aimed squarely at restoring Exeter’s edge after their lowest-ever finish in the top flight last term.
Baxter, who has built a reputation for unearthing and developing uncompromising forwards, sees Hooper as a key piece in the Chiefs’ next evolution.
Test
Indeed, the former Brumby clearly isn’t here for a holiday.
“I’ve always wanted to test myself in the Premiership,” says Hooper. “Talking to guys like Nic White, he couldn’t speak highly enough about Exeter.
“He told me Aussies love it here, that it’s a real family environment but still tough as nails on the field.
“When the chance came up, it just felt right. I had to grab it with both hands.”
That mix of grit and growth is exactly what drew Hooper north.
Confrontational
Known for his confrontational edge and tireless work rate, the 6ft 6in forward thrives in tight contests and the Premiership – with its relentless collisions and emphasis on set-piece dominance – is tailor-made for his game.
“I’m a bit of a big heifer,” he jokes. “I’m on the heavier side of the back row, so I couldn’t run out of sight on a dark night, so it’s probably a good thing that it’s a bit slower and just physical.”
Having done his research, Hooper knows Exeter’s struggles last season weren’t reflective of their potential. When he spoke with Baxter before signing, he wanted straight answers – and he got them.
“I asked Rob what was going to change,” he explained. “He told me about the new systems they’ve put in place and the direction they’re taking.
“I liked what I heard. I knew I could bring something to the club. That’s what I’m here to do.”
Settling in
Hooper’s arrival comes just days after Wallabies team-mate Len Ikitau also arrived at Sandy Park.
He is just one of a number of familiar faces from back home in the Chiefs ranks, all of whom are helping the settling in process.
“They were awesome,” he said. “Scotty [Sio] gave me the sales pitch and said the beach isn’t far away, which helped!
“The lads here have been unreal. It’s a great group, no egos, everyone works hard, and you can feel the hunger.”
For Hooper, the move – you sense – is more than a stint abroad, it’s a stepping stone to something bigger.
Having just tackled the Lions, as well as familiar foes in Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa, a home World Cup in 2027 is also in his long-term thoughts, and he knows every performance in Exeter colours could push him closer to wearing Wallaby gold again.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is play rugby,” he said. “People know that the brand of rugby that comes out of here is really forward-orientated, but it’s also an exciting game.
“The way rugby is trending as a whole globally, the backs are doing some exciting things – and when you add guys like Len Ikitau into your backline, it’s going to make a pretty exciting prospect for fans to watch.
“Hopefully, us forwards can put up a good platform to make sure the pretty boys are scoring plenty of tries!”
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