FROM at one stage thinking he may not to get play rugby at all to now being part of the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby squad - 2020 has turned out to be one of the most important seasons in Tom Hooper's career.
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Like rugby players across Australia, COVID-19 impacted Hooper's plans for the year.
The Bathurst talent had put in a big pre-season in hopes of being part of the national side which played at the Under 20s World Championships, but they were cancelled.
But when the green light was finally given for club rugby to resume in July, Hooper set about impressing for the Tuggeranong Vikings in Canberra's John Dent Cup.
The talented lock was promoted to first grade and ended up being named the Vikings' joint players' player.
Hooper's club form saw him given 20 minutes off the bench for the Australian XV outfit which took on Argentina.
It also saw him promoted from the Brumbies Academy to the ACT's Super Rugby squad.
He began pre-season training with the Super Rugby AU championship winning squad in mid-November.
Those first sessions - based around fitness - were done in brutally hot, humid conditions but Hooper relished his chance to work with the squad.
"They're just running us off our feet which is good, but we sort of need that first week back, just to sort of blow out the cobwebs and get into the swing of things," he said after the opening week of pre-season.
"The sessions have been pretty flat out, so it's been good to get amongst the boys in a full-time training environment.
"It's a bit of extra leadership opportunities I guess with the younger academy boys then obviously just doing what I'm told from the old dogs, which is the main thing.
"But all the boys are getting around each other and getting together as a family, getting through these tough sessions in the heat."
Hooper is one of five academy graduates who have joined the full-time program and Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is keen to continue their development.
"All five have spent time with the group at different stages last season, and they've proven that they are ready to make the step up," McKellar said.
"When they've joined the top squad for periods in the past, they've worked hard, they've been prepared, and they've clearly been hard at work in that academy programme.
"For these young men, the hard work starts now and for us as coaches, our job is to make sure they continue to improve so that when we expose them to the top level, they're ready."