Wallaby’s younger brother returns home to NSW with Waratahs

Former Australia U20s backrower Lachlan Hooper has returned home to New South Wales after time with the ACT Brumbies and Northland, signing with the Waratahs ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Hooper is the younger brother of Wallabies loose forward Tom, who received Player of the Match honours after the third Test against the British & Irish Lions earlier this year, having come straight into the starting side at blindside flanker.

While ‘Hoops’ has left Australia’s shores for now, putting pen to paper on a deal with English club Exeter Chiefs, the Wallaby’s younger brother will train with and compete against some of the nation’s best rugby talent at the Tahs.

The 21-year-old was schooled at Sydney’s Barker College before moving to Australia’s capital in 2022, playing for the Tuggeranong Vikings initially. Hooper then represented the Brumbies at Under-19s level, part of the Premiership-winning team in 2023.

Hooper, born in Bathurst, joined the Brumbies’ top squad for the 2024 and 2025 Super Rugby seasons, debuting in a historic clash with the Lions in July. Since 2024, Hooper has plied his trade across the ditch in New Zealand’s NPC with Northland.

“It is great to see a young player of Lachlan’s calibre return to play for his home State,” McKellar said in a statement.

“Lachlan’s a good young player whose experience of having played in Canberra and in New Zealand will add value to the already excellent backrow players we have at the Waratahs.”

At representative level with the then-called Junior Wallabies  in 2023, Hooper started at blindside flanker in all five appearances at the World Rugby U20 World Championships, including a series of 80 minute performances.

Hooper represented the Australia U20s in wins against Fiji, New Zealand and Wales, a defeat to the Irish, and a thrilling  22-all draw with England. Teddy Wilson and Tim Ryan are among the others who featured in the run-on side against the English.

The Tahs have recruited some of Australia’s best rugby talent to the club ahead of the new campaign, including a handful of Wallabies. Harry Potter, Pete Samu, Agus Blyth and Matt Philip have all signed on with the Tahs for 2026.

Crusaders rake Ioane Moananu is making the move across the Tasman, and George Poolman from the Western Force is also heading east. Poolman played more than 30 matches for the Force, scoring four tries.

“We’re thrilled to have secured George’s services for the next two seasons,” McKellar explained when Poolman’s signing was confirmed.

“He performed well for the Force throughout the Super Rugby AUS competition and his spot in the Team of the Tournament was well deserved.

“George is a quality young man with his best rugby still ahead of him and we look forward to seeing what he can deliver in Waratahs colours.”