Rob Baxter’s verdict on Wallaby Tom Hooper’s future as there is ‘no point in waiting around’
Rob Baxter (left) is hopeful of keeping Tom Hooper (right) at Sandy Park beyond his initial two-year deal
Exeter Chiefs are set to begin negotiations with Wallabies ace Tom Hooper over a possible extension, with director of rugby Rob Baxter hopeful of securing his services beyond the initial two-year deal.
Hooper arrived at Sandy Park at the start of the season alongside Test teammate Len Ikitau, and has quickly become an integral part of the side.
To date, the back-rower has made 12 appearances for the Devonians, starting in all 12 in the process, and won Man of the Match in back-to-back matches as well.
Exeter hopeful of extending Tom Hooper stay amid honest admission from Wallabies ace
Talk over Hooper’s future has been rife since he joined the club this off-season, following his return to the Wallabies Test side last July, but the back-rower got the ball rolling on a potential extension with the Chiefs.
“I’m loving my rugby here,” the forward told BBC Sport last week. “I didn’t just come over here for one reason, I came over here because a few of the stars really aligned for me.
“It was that time where I’d kind of hit my ceiling in Australia, I needed a new challenge.
“But if I’m over here and I still feel like I’m being challenged as an athlete and as a person and I’m still growing in those areas, then this is the best place for me.
“So if I see that this environment is indicative of that then I’ll definitely be staying in Devon because that’s what’s best for me.”
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And now, Baxter has revealed the club would also be willing to extend his time in the South West, too.
“The conversation I had with Tom was ‘I’d love you to stay more than the two years’, he said ‘let’s look into it’, and that’s what we’re doing,” said the DoR. “But that’s as far as it’s gone at the moment.
“He’s made an impression on me, more than just playing-wise with the character he is around the place and the energy he brings; and he’s obviously a very good player. It simplifies things that Australia are happy to select players outside of Australia, and that’s part of it as well.
“He’s a good guy, a good team man,” Baxter continued. “He loves playing rugby, training and the things that are associated with the sport. Couldn’t really fault him on any of that.
“Hopefully, we can make things work for a longer stay. If now is not the right time and we have to talk about it in a year’s time then we’ll do that, but I don’t see a point in us waiting to get on with things.”
