The Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia are pleased to announce that Wallaby Tom Hooper has officially committed his long-term future to Australian Rugby, signing a new agreement that will see him join the Queensland Reds in mid-2028.
The 23-Test international, who currently plays in England's Premiership with Exeter, has put pen to paper on a contract that secures his return to home soil through to the end of 2030.
The versatile Hooper’s signature is a strong endorsement for Australian Rugby with the 25-year-old backrower-lock emerging as one of the players to watch in international rugby.
After a standout 2025 international campaign that featured a Player of the Match performance during the Wallabies’ 22-12 third Test victory against the British & Irish Lions, Hooper's long-term commitment is a massive positive for supporters of Australian Rugby.
Hooper was recently named in the Premiership Team of the Season after helping Exeter to the final. While he will fulfil his current commitments in the UK for the next two seasons, his arrival back in Australia in mid-2028 will make him a massive addition to the Reds' squad for the 2029 and 2030 Super Rugby Pacific seasons.
Born in country NSW, Hooper’s journey has taken him from a Bathurst Bulldogs junior to a Super Rugby debut with the ACT Brumbies before being selected in the 2023 Rugby World Cup where he played every single minute for Australia.
Wallaby number 964, Tom Hooper said: "I’m really happy to have my long-term future secured with a move back to Australia in the not-too-distant future.
“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.”
Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager, High Performance, said the Hooper signing is a major positive.
"We're delighted to welcome Tom to the Reds. While it will be a couple of 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."
Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne said: “Tom’s return to Australian Rugby is a real coup for all supporters of the game in this country.
“He’s someone who works incredibly hard on his craft and has already shown the impact he can have at the highest level.”
Position: Lock and Back row
Height: 199cm
Weight: 124kg
Born: 29/01/2001
Place of birth: Bathurst, New South Wales
Junior Rugby Club: Bathurst Bulldogs
Test debut: 2023 v South Africa in Pretoria
Wallaby number: 964
Test caps: 23
Super Rugby Pacific debut: 2021 (ACT Brumbies) v Crusaders in Christchurch
Super Rugby Pacific caps: 53 (Brumbies)
