WATCH: Hooper’s ‘Smackdown’ results in yellow after ‘absolute brain fade’ suplex
Tom Hooper's WWE-esque Suplex against the Waratahs.
Wallabies and Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper lost his cool during the Super Rugby Pacific match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
The Exeter Chiefs bound forward took exception to actions of Waratahs prop Daniel Botha’s action at a breakdown and responded with his best Brock Lesnar impression.
As his scrum-half Ryan Lonergan punted the ball into touch from the back of the maul, Hooper suplexed the 120kg Waratahs prop over his head in an impressive show of strength but equal stupidity.
Tom Hooper’s suplex
His actions initially went unnoticed by the officiating team but TMO Glenn Newman spotted the incident and notified referee Ben O’Keeffe of the foul play.
The New Zealand official deemed his actions to reach the yellow card threshold and duly issued the sin-binning sending the incident to be reviewed by the Foul Play Officer.
Luckily for the Australian flanker, the card remained yellow and was not upgraded to what would have been a 20-minute red.
Tom Hooper channels his inner Brock Lesnar. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/hSWMxEz3kt
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 22, 2025
“We have got confirmation that the yellow card remains a yellow card,” referee O’Keeffe explained.
“The player does not land dangerously on his head, it remains yellow and he will come back on.”
Understandably, the incident was widely discussed on social media with fans reacting to what unfolded.
“Tom Hooper, Brock Lesner would be proud. Great Suplex,” one fan joked.
Another’s remark was along similar lines, stating: “Tom Hooper sends Daniel Botha to Suplex City Tom Hooper has had an absolute brain fade.
WATCH: Werner Kok yellow carded for WWE-esque suplex in Champions Cup
“Hooper suplex Daniel Botha like he’s prime Brock Lesnar, picked up by the TMO. He goes to the bin.”
Meanwhile, @Chalyn.Rugby believes that Hooper might have a future in the WWE.
“Tom Hooper is the next WWE star. That’s a German Suplex mate,” he wrote.
The Waratahs’ official X account even weighed in stating: “Tom Hooper shown the yellow after his smackdown on Botha.”
Waratahs finally beat the Waratahs
The Waratahs were unable to make the most of the one-man advantage while Hooper was off the park but did seal a first win over the Brumbies in 10 years.
Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly and Rob Leata all crossed for tries in the first half as the Tahs raced into an emphatic 21-6 lead at the break.
Allan Alaalatoa led the Brumbies’ fightback before Hooper’s yellow card before Luke Reimer closed the gap further.
However, a bit of magic from Max Jorgensen resulted in a try for Joey Walton that put Dan McKellar’s side into a 28-18 lead and while Andy Muirhead gave the Brumbies one final shot at beating their former head coach, it was not to be as the Waratahs held out for the win.
