Rugby Transfers: Wallabies star confirms Australian return with the Reds while son of All Blacks great inks new Blues deal
Wallabies utility forward Tom Hooper will join the Reds in 2028 and Blues outside back Payton Spencer (inset).
The Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia have confirmed that they have signed Wallabies star Tom Hooper while the Waratahs have announced that they have bolstered their forward stocks and a promising Blues youngster has signed a contract extension with the Auckland-based outfit.
Wallabies utility forward confirms Reds move
Wallabies utility forward Tom Hooper has officially committed his long-term future to Australian rugby, signing a new agreement that will see him join the Queensland Reds in mid-2028.
The 23-Test international, who is currently plying his trade with PREM Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs, has agreed terms on a deal which secures his return to Australia through to the end of 2030.
The versatile Hooper’s signature is a strong endorsement for Australian rugby with the 25-year-old, who is comfortable on the flank and at lock, emerging as one of the players to watch in Test rugby.
After a standout 2025 international campaign that featured a Player of the Match performance during the Wallabies’ 22-12 third Test triumph over the British & Irish Lions, Hooper’s long-term commitment is a massive positive for supporters of Australian rugby.
He was recently named in the PREM Rugby Team of the Season after helping Exeter to the final. While he will fulfil his current commitments in England for the next two seasons, his arrival back in Australia in mid-2028 will bolster the Reds‘ squad for their 2029 and 2030 Super Rugby Pacific campaigns.
Hooper’s journey as a professional rugby player has taken him to a Super Rugby debut with the Brumbies in 2021 before he was included in Australia’s squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup where he played every single minute for his country.
Hooper is excited by the prospect of joining the Reds when he completes his stint with Exeter Chiefs in 2028.
“I’m really happy to have my long-term future secured with a move back to Australia in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying my time in Exeter and am focused on continuing to improve my game there before returning to Australia and linking up with Queensland.
“In the short-term, my priority is to continue working hard with the Wallabies where I’m incredibly hungry to contribute on and off the field as we continue to build our game as a group.”
Reds general manager high performance Sam Cordingley said Hooper’s recruitment is a major positive for the Brisbane-based outfit.
“We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the Reds. While it will be a couple of years before we see him in a Reds jersey, he’s another world-class player we can build our squad around,” he said.
“In planning for the future, we’re confident Tom’s decision to join the Reds will be a catalyst for retaining and recruiting players over the next few years.”
Rugby Australia’s director of high performance Peter Horne said: “Tom’s return to Australian Rugby is a real coup for all supporters of the game in this country.
“He’s someone who works incredibly hard on his craft and has already shown the impact he can have at the highest level.”
Tight five duo join the Waratahs
The Waratahs have secured the signings of front-row Sefo Kautai and second-row Veikoso Poloniati for their 2027 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
29-year-old Kautai arrives from the Highlanders on a one-year contract, while Poloniati, who is 30, has signed from Moana Pasifika on a two-year deal.
Waratahs director of high performance BJ Mather is happy that two seasoned professionals has joined the Sydneysiders and expects them to bolster the club’s tight five ranks.
“We are delighted to add both Sefo and Veikoso to the playing group for 2027,” he said.
“They are proven and experienced Super Rugby Pacific players who have played for some of the biggest clubs in world rugby.
“They both jumped at the opportunity to come to the Waratahs and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the club for the start of pre-season in November.”
Tighthead prop Kautai is an experienced Super Rugby Pacific campaigner, who, apart from the Highlanders, also had stints at the Chiefs and Brumbies during his career thus far.
Known as a powerful scrummager and weighing in at 116kgs, Kautai made his debut in 2017 for the Chiefs against the Stormers in Round Seven of Super Rugby.
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In total, he has 64 Super Rugby caps to his name, while in his final year at the Brumbies in 2024, he featured in all 16 of their matches as they were beaten in the semi final by the Blues at Eden Park.
Kautai is delighted to return to Australian rugby with the Waratahs.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the team at the Waratahs,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity and moving to Sydney. I will be looking to contribute to the group and earn respect through my work.”
Tongan international lock Poloniati joins from Moana Pasifika, whom he represented in 18 Super Rugby Pacific matches across two stints in 2022 and 2026.
He has also played for Racing 92 and Bayonne in the Top 14, as well as Manawatu in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Standing at 2.03m tall, Poloniati is a huge asset at the lineout and a strong ball runner.
He has made seven Test appearances for Tonga, including starting in their 36-26 win over Zimbabwe in the Nations Cup in Colorado at the weekend.
Poloniati is looking forward to moving to Sydney and representing the Waratahs over the next two seasons.
“Malo, I’m incredibly excited to be joining the NSW Waratahs and to start this next chapter in my rugby journey,” he said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, continue growing as a player, and to represent such a proud club.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way, I can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season and meet my new teammates. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and enjoying the Australian lifestyle and culture with my family.”
Highly rated outside back extends Blues stay
The Blues have secured the services of exciting young outside back Payton Spencer, who has committed his future to the club through to the end of the 2029 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
The new deal extends the 22-year-old’s stay at the Blues after a breakthrough campaign in 2026, where he made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Waratahs in Sydney before going on to make another four appearances late in the season.
Spencer showcased his exciting attacking ability throughout the past season, scoring three tries, beating eight defenders and providing two try assists in just over 200 minutes of action.
He joined the men from Auckland on his first full contract in 2025 after progressing through the club’s U18 pathway.
Spencer has also represented Auckland in the NPC and helped New Zealand claim the Sydney Sevens title on debut in 2023.
The highly rated backline player is the son of Blues legend Carlos Spencer, but has quickly established himself as an exciting talent in his own right.
Spencer revealed that signing a new Blues contract was an easy decision.
“This club has believed in me from the beginning and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given here,” he said.
“Making my debut this season was a special moment and it only made me hungrier to keep improving. We’ve got an awesome group of players and coaches in for next season, and I know this environment is the best place for me to continue developing my game.”
Blues general manager Rugby Murray Williams said Spencer’s long-term commitment reflected the club’s confidence in his potential.
“Payton is an exceptional young talent with all the attributes to be a huge contributor at Super Rugby level,” he said.
“We’ve seen his growth over the past few years, not only as a player but as a person. His professionalism, willingness to learn and competitiveness have impressed everyone within our programme.”
