Versatile forward Tom Hooper is set to leave the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies at the end of this season.
A product of the Brumbies Pathway program, Hooper, 23, will sign for the 2019/20 English Premiership and European Champions Exeter Chiefs.
He will follow in the footsteps of former Brumbies Nic White, Scotty Sio and Tamati Tua, who all made the move to the Southwest of England from Canberra. Both Sio and Tua are currently on the Chiefs’ books.
Hooper insists his immediate focus remains on the ACT Brumbies and winning this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, for his teammates and the people of the Nation’s Capital.
“My biggest focus this year is a short-term goal and that is winning Super Rugby Pacific with the ACT Brumbies,” Hooper said.
“I want to send off my stint in Canberra in the best possible way and that’s by giving the fans exactly what they deserve, another Premiership. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that happens.”
Born in Bathurst in New South Wales, Hooper moved to Canberra after graduating from High School to play for Tuggeranong Vikings.
The 23-year-old joined the Brumbies in 2021 and made his debut against the Crusaders later that year. He has gone on to make 38 appearances thus far for the Brumbies, including 14 last term.
Hooper, who can play at lock or any position across the backrow, has 10 Wallabies caps to his name, including starting all four of their matches at the 2023 World Cup in France.
With his 20-year-old brother Lachlan promoted to the Brumbies first-team squad this season, Hooper may also have the opportunity to line up alongside his sibling for the first time in professional rugby in 2025.
Hooper added: “Across my five seasons as a Brumby, the club and Canberra have become my home. Unfortunately, with the changing dynamic of rugby, sometimes you must fly the coup. That’s what I’m going to be doing next season.
“I’m going to leave the Brumbies and try my best to become a better player, with a view to coming back to Australia and becoming an older, more experienced player later down the track, whenever that may be.”
Director of High Performance at Rugby Australia Peter Horne said: “Tom has been presented with a good opportunity to play overseas next season. Rugby Australia thanks him for his service to Australian rugby and wishes him all the best for the future.”
