Tom Hooper: Exeter Chiefs sign Wallabies back row on deal from next season

Hooper, who made his Super Rugby debut in 2021 after playing at that year’s U20 Junior World Championship, is described as fiercely competitive by many in the Wallabies set-up.

He first drew interest from national team coaches in 2022 before suffering an injury, and was handed his test debut by then-Wallabies boss Eddie Jones during The Rugby Championship in July 2023 before being named in Australia’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad months later.

Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said the club was “delighted” by the signing.

“A young international who is a big, abrasive back-five forward, we see him having the opportunity to play across our back row but cover second row as well,” Baxter told the Chiefs’ official website, external.

“He’s got a lot of the attributes that are really important in Premiership rugby – high work-rate along with good physical size and good physical abilities.

“He’s also an interesting character and someone we’re excited to bring to the club to grow the team we want to put together going forward.

“Alongside our other young back five forwards, such as Dafydd Jenkins, Rusi Tuima, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Roots, the back five has the ability to be a really strong group that can build over a number of years.”

The Chiefs are currently on a poor run of form, with their latest loss a heavy 69-17 defeat at the hands of Bordeaux in the Champions Cup on Saturday.