Tom Hooper has locked in a homecoming. The Wallabies back-rower has signed a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds that will bring him back from Exeter Chiefs for the 2029 Super Rugby Pacific season, ending his overseas stint and adding a proven forward to Australia's domestic ranks.
The 25-year-old, capped 23 times by the Wallabies, has at the same time extended his Exeter contract through the 2027/28 season. That means two more years in the Gallagher Premiership before the switch to Brisbane, a staggered arrangement that suits club and country alike.
"I'm really happy to have my long-term future secured with a move back to Australia in the not-too-distant future," Hooper said.
"I'm thoroughly enjoying my time in Exeter and am focused on continuing to improve my game there before returning to Australia and linking up with Queensland."
Hooper's stock has risen sharply in England. He was named in the Premiership Team of the Season and helped Exeter reach the Gallagher Prem final, form that made his signature a target for Rugby Australia as it works to keep home-grown talent in the system.
Rugby Australia's director of high performance, Peter Horne, did not hide his satisfaction. "Tom's return to Australian Rugby is a real coup for all supporters of the game in this country," Horne said. "He's someone who works incredibly hard on his craft and has already shown the impact he can have at the highest level."
At the Reds, general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley framed the deal as one for the future. "We're delighted to welcome Tom to the Reds. While it will be a few years before we see him in a Reds jersey, he's another world-class player we can build our squad around," Cordingley said.
Exeter, for their part, get to keep him for two more seasons and were relaxed about the eventual departure. Director of rugby Rob Baxter said the club understood the pull of home. "We are delighted Tom will be with us for another two seasons," Baxter said. "We completely understand Tom's reasons for returning to Australia. He is still a young man, his family and his roots are in Australia, and he wants to have a base there for his rugby and personal future."
For now, Hooper's focus stays on the gold jersey. "In the short-term, my priority is to continue working hard with the Wallabies where I'm incredibly hungry to contribute on and off the field as we continue to build our game as a group," he said.
That contribution is on hold in the immediate term. Hooper picked up a shoulder injury in the Wallabies' 33-31 Nations Championship loss to Ireland in Sydney and has been ruled out of the remainder of the July window. The long game, though, is now clear: two more seasons in Devon, then a return to Queensland in 2029.
