Hooper thoroughly enjoying his introduction to the Chiefs family

Just one week on from landing in the UK, Wallabies back-rower Tom Hooper is preparing to make his Chiefs debut at Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon.

The 24-year-old was the first name on Rob Baxter’s new signings list for this season and his move to the English south-west marks the first time he has played rugby outside of his native Australia. So, what has he thought of Devon so far?

Hooper said: “I absolutely love it. There’s a good group here, the boys are really welcoming.

“There’s a couple of funny lads, so it’s been good to get over the jet lag with a couple laughs. My nan always says, ‘a couple belly laughs a day keeps the doctor away’, so I’ve definitely been getting enough of that.”

The boy from Sydney adds to an esteemed history of Australians moving over to make Devon their home-away-from-home. The likes of Dean Mumm, Nic White and Mitch Lees helped to lay the foundations for their countrymen and put their names against a number of Chiefs successes over the years.

Nowadays, Hooper is joined by Len Ikitau, Scott Sio and Julian Heaven in waving the Australian flag in Chiefs colours.

Hooper said: “It’s been great, and Julian’s my roommate right now. I’ve played a lot of rugby with Nic White as well, so he’s given me a glaringly positive impression of this place which is outstanding.

“That really made me hungry to put this jersey on, so I’m grateful for this opportunity.

“Whitey just told me to be myself. The two of us are very similar and he fit in like a duck to water here, so hopefully I’ll be the same.”

Hooper comes in to a stacked back-five of the Chiefs scrum with Ethan Roots, Greg Fisilau, Ross Vintcent, Kane James and Lewis Pearson all vying for a spot in the back-row while Dafydd Jenkins, Rusi Tuima and Andrea Zambonin are available for the second row berths.

The fierce internal competition is something Hooper is looking forward to relishing.

He said: “I’m a big believer in competition breeding success. For me to be in a back row that’s really competitive, you don’t know who is going to start or come off the bench, that’s exciting to me.

“Putting my other hat on and going into the second row is also something I pride myself on, but seeing the stock there, the competition is no easier.

“It’s exciting to see our back five prospects because if you’re competing internally, it makes the competition externally just all the better.”

Already with over 10 Wallabies caps to his name, including playing in the most recent Rugby Championship and lining up opposite the British and Irish Lions, Hooper is an extremely talented forward.

What then does he think he can bring to the Chiefs pack?

Hooper said: “I’m looking to bring a good work rate. I pride myself on going head down, bum up and just getting into the thick of stuff. If I can do that, it’ll let guys like Lenny [Len Ikitau] and Sladey [Henry Slade] and our star-studded back three light up the field.

“If I’m doing the tough stuff, the stuff that nobody else wants to do, then it’ll make everyone else look pretty good. Hopefully nobody sees me doing my work and that’ll mean I’ve had a good game.”

Off the field, in meetings and the gym, Hooper has had to be caught up to speed incredibly quickly learning both plays and the way of working in the Chiefs squad.

A number of players have explained the importance placed upon the true meaning of being a Chief this season and the culture around that is one which Hooper is already enjoying being a part of.

He said: “I think being a Chief means hard work. I think it means even in the dark, when no one is really watching, the standard we hold ourselves to is exceptional.

“That’s something I’ve been really impressed by, that even young guys in our pack are helping to lead that, which is outstanding.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this group, to put my mark on things and do whatever I can to help get wins on the board.”

His first opportunity to make an impact arrives this weekend when Harlequins visit Sandy Park. And the big back-rower is thoroughly looking forward to his first home runout.

Hooper said: “The boys have said the crowd is amazing. I saw the grass getting cut the other day and it looked bloody perfect! I’m keen to get out on the field, soak up the environment.

“The boys speak really highly of the experience. One of them told me the other day that words don’t do it justice and that you’ve just got to dive in to experiencing it.”

Chiefs kick-off against Harlequins at 15:00 on Sunday, 19 Oct with tickets still available.