The Queensland Rugby Union is pleased to announce the signing of versatile forward Lachie Hooper for the 2027 season.
Hooper’s ability to play backrow and lock is part of his appeal for the Queensland Reds’ 2027 campaign in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
Hooper, 22, has trained in the Super Rugby squads of the ACT Brumbies (2025) and NSW Waratahs (2026) to develop the game that earned him Australia Under-20s selection in 2023.
The younger brother of Wallabies forward Tom Hooper is excited about joining new Head Coach Vern Cotter at the Reds after his productive stint with Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.
“I’ve noted the way the Blues boys in the Northland squad talk about Vern. He’s firm and there’s that strong ‘let’s go through ‘em’ mentality on the field if there is no way around it,” Hooper said.
“I’ve only heard good things about the Reds set-up and I’m excited to work under Vern.”
While yet to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut, Hooper enjoyed a career highlight in 2025 when making his Brumbies debut beside his brother in the tour game against the British and Irish Lions.
The 114kg, 1.95m forward has been making his mark as a lineout-jumping openside flanker for Northland this season after previous time at blindside flanker and lock.
He scored a recent hat-trick of tries against Taranaki and was part of the first Northland team in 48 years to win the Ranfurly Shield with last weekend’s win over Canterbury in Christchurch.
“The NPC is a very physical comp. I’ve always enjoyed putting my head in dark places and I definitely feel my physicality has gone up playing two seasons in NZ,” Hooper said.
“There has been a real benefit to getting some high-quality footy and seeing rugby from a different view.
“Being in the Brumbies and Waratahs programs has also enabled me to learn so much from both coaches and senior players.”
Hooper’s brother Tom has signed a two-year deal with the Reds starting in mid-2028. Joining his brother at the same club has definite appeal for Lachie.
“It’s motivation to push my case to stay around longer. We’ve already had chats about who gets the “Hoops” nickname. I’m first here so he’ll miss out,” the younger Hooper said with a laugh.
Reds Head Coach Cotter said Hooper’s signing is a positive.
"I had an eye on him from last year's NPC. He's been playing well with Northland this season and he definitely offers good versatility in the forwards," Cotter said.
Position: Backrow-lock
Height: 195cm
Weight: 114kg
Born: 19/02/2004
Place of birth: Bathurst, NSW
Senior Club: Northern Suburbs, Sydney
Junior club: Bathurst Bulldogs
School: Barker College, Sydney
