Queensland Reds secure Wallabies flanker Hooper on two-year deal from 2029

The Queensland Reds have signed Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper from Exeter on a two-year deal, Rugby Australia confirmed on Wednesday, with the 25-year-old set to return to Australian rugby from 2029.

Hooper, who made 53 appearances for the Brumbies before moving to England, will join the Reds once his current duties at Exeter are complete in late 2028. The former Brumbies back rower has already earned 23 Test caps and retains Wallabies eligibility thanks to his extended tenure in Canberra.

The signing comes off the back of a standout domestic season for Hooper, who was named in the Premiership Team of the Season after helping Exeter reach the final. His return to Australia was, however, overshadowed by a shoulder injury sustained against Ireland in Sydney on Saturday, ruling him out of further involvement in the Test series after coming off the bench in the Wallabies’ 33-31 defeat.

“I’m really happy to have my long-term future secured with a move back to Australia in the not-too-distant future,” said Hooper, who grew up in Bathurst. “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. 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.”

Reds football boss Sam Cordingley framed the deal as a statement of intent for the club’s recruitment strategy, despite the wait involved. “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. “In planning for the future, we’re confident Tom’s decision to join the Reds will be a catalyst for retaining and recruiting players over the next few years.”

Hooper will join a Reds back row that already includes Wallabies internationals Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, giving Queensland a formidable set of loose forwards to build around heading into the next Super Rugby cycle.