Wallabies back-rower Tom Hooper believes continual change is crucial to his growth as he prepares for an eventual return to Australia with the Queensland Reds.
Hooper committed his future to Australian Rugby on a unique deal that will see him return home in 2029 after signing a one-year extension with English club Exeter.
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Following this, he will head to the Reds instead of the ACT Brumbies, with the change of scenery in the Premiership prompting another change of scenery for the Bathurst product.
Hooper still has fond memories of the nation's capital and whilst weighing up the move back to his home state, the chance to work under incoming coach Vern Cotter helped sway his mind.
"You've got to keep growing, keep challenging yourself as a rugby player, and when the decision came so far out, I just didn't know what the landscape would look like in Canberra, nor did I know what it would be in Brisbane but I thought it was a nice, new, exciting challenge," he said.
“If I was to go back to Canberra, it would have been a decision based on my heart...I just think that growth is really important and with a new environment of going over to Exeter, I can really feel that working with a new coaching staff, environment and new playing squad, I’ve learnt plenty.
“Coming to a new environment, being the Queensland Reds, whilst I've worked with some of the top athletes here playing in the Wallabies, I'm looking forward to working with guys like [coach] Vern Cotter, so it’s an exciting prospect."
The back-rower has quickly become a cult hero at Exeter, with Hooper, alongside Len Ikitau, guiding them to the Premiership Final.
Whilst Hooper has loved his time in England, Australia remains home and he was eager to get back.
“It's one of those things you wish you had a crystal ball so you know exactly what the landscape would be like,” he explained. “At the time, I completely understood why all the higher powers needed me to make my decision early because everyone needs to plan for the future, as do I. When Rugby Australia came to me with an offer, I had to say yes. I've always loved this country. I always wanted to come home."
The back-rower had plenty of voices in his ear within the Wallaby camp when making his decision about which club to join, with Reds skipper Fraser McReight a key persuader in getting him to move north.
"He makes it sound like there's a really good culture here," Hooper added.
“I think there's not too many tweaks that'll need to be made but I'll certainly buy into the culture here and add my own weird personality traits as well when I get here. So that'll be good.”
