The little brother of a Wallaby named to start in the NPC final

In 2025, fledgling professional Lachlan Hooper had just one option after Super Rugby Pacific: Whangarei.

“I’d never heard of it,” Hooper laughed with RugbyPass.

“Northland was after a loose forward. It was the only option on the table; alright then.”

On Labour Day Monday, Hooper will start at openside flanker for Northland in their first-ever NPC Division I final against defending champions Canterbury at Te Kaha, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch.

Northland will look to repeat their stunning 36-12 victory over Canterbury on August 20 when they won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1978. It was their first win against Canterbury in Christchurch since 1987.

“One thing I know about finals footy is that it will be a hundred per cent tougher,” Hooper admitted.

“We have a plan that has worked for us. We’re going to back it again. If we are accurate with our set pieces, win the collisions and throw in a few surprises, it’ll be a good game.”

Northland’s forward brutality and versatility have been hallmarks of their 2026 campaign. James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Rob Rush, Allan Craig and Terrell Peita have been a force of nature this year. Hooper has played lock and across the back row.

Memorably, he scored three tries in a 42-0 whitewash against Taranaki on August 14. It was the first time since September 3, 1980 that Northland held a Division I opponent to zero. That was Otago at home, 7-0. Halfback and Maori All Black Steve Griffin scored the only try, with All Black fullback Ian “Magic” Dunn kicking a penalty.

In the successful 34-17 Ranfurly Shield defence against Waikato on September 12, when halfback Sam Nock celebrated his 100th game for Northland, Hooper wrote headlines with two tries. In 12 appearances this year, he’s made 118 tackles, won 13 turnovers and secured 26 lineout catches. Hooper reckons that success began on October 5, 2025, when Counties Manukau beat Tasman 49-41 to keep Northland out of the playoffs.

“Had Tasman won that game, we would have been in the playoffs. We vowed not to put ourselves in that position again,” Hooper explained.

“At the start of this year we had an intense camp: no phones, no wifi, just 30 boys focused on fitness, game plan, team building and setting clear goals about what we wanted to achieve. Taking away the luxury can bring out that inner fight.

“Whangarei. What does it mean now? It’s like a second home. I’m from Bathurst and, similar to Whangarei, not a lot goes on, but there’s something about the sense of community and the passion of the supporters in both places that draws you in. Northland itself is such a beautiful place when the sun is out. The beaches are amazing, and some of the boys have shown me remote parts that are just unbelievable.

“Culturally, it’s been a unique experience. My first haka was an embarrassment. A video of that is floating around somewhere. I’m glad it’s vanished. It’s a shocker.

“It’s been really special delving deeper into the culture and understanding what taniwha means. It’s about being guardians of something bigger than you.”

Rugby Database reports 27 Australian-born players are involved in the 2026 NPC, up more than 237 per cent since 2021. Hudson Creighton, Daniel Botha, Reesjan Pasitoa and James Ramm are other Australians to have worn the Taniwha’s sky blue kit this season.

“It’s great to be embraced by the Kiwis and, from a development perspective, a great challenge to be taken out of your comfort zone,” Hooper said.

“When we won the Ranfurly Shield we made sure we were the last ones to touch it and get a photo. The sense of pride everywhere we went with it is something I’ve never experienced before. It wasn’t hard to get up for those games with sold-out stadiums, but it also brings out the best in the opposition. We were gutted to lose it to Counties. They brought it, and we didn’t play well enough, but to see what it’s done for them is cool.”

For the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, Hooper has signed with the Queensland Reds. His brother is Wallabies international Tom Hooper.