TRAINING alongside Wallabies in a pre-season camp at Jindabyne - it's little wonder that Tom Hooper is pinching himself.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hooper was in Jindabyne with the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby squad this week, one he has been training with since before Christmas.
He's already learned from a host of talented players, but the Jindabyne camp saw the Brumbies' Australian representatives - ACT skipper Allan Alaaltoa, Scott Sio, Irae Simone and Folau Fainga'a - return to the fold.
While the three-day camp included training sessions, there was also raft building, cricket, bike riding and kayaking on the agenda to help build camaraderie.
Though Hooper had also put in a big pre-season ahead of 2020, the Brumbies Academy graduate knows the experience he is currently gaining is huge in terms of his development.
"It's been a whirlwind, 100 percent, so I can't really thank my lucky stars enough for the position I'm in," Hooper said.
"I do pinch myself, it's crazy looking back to 12 months ago. If had a crystal ball I probably would have done a few things differently, but it's good.
"It's a good group of guys, we really bond well.
"Sometimes we just have a bit of a kick or pick up a cricket bat and play in the gym, so everyone gets on no matter what we're doing and that makes it all the easier when we're sweating buckets and out on the field. We've got each others' back."
Last year as Hooper made his first XV debut for the Tuggeranong Vikings - the talented lock was voted joint players' player - the ACT Brumbies won the Super RugbyAU crown.
The Brumbies are keen not only to defend that crown, but to take their game to another level and challenge New Zealand's heavyweights as well.
While Hooper knows it be tough for him to make the final squad - the current group of 36 will be cut to 22 - even if he doesn't he knows a pre-season with the Brumbies will make him a better player.
"We know while we have that potential to win the Super Rugby Australian competition, we want to take it to another level and have a crack in the Trans-Tasman against the likes of Crusaders and some of the best rugby players in the world there," he said.
"I just want to take my opportunities as they come and see what I can make of every scenario."
The Brumbies are set to begin their Super Rugby AU title defence on February 19 with an away match against Western Force. Prior to that Hooper will get his chance to face Force in a trial match at Queanbeyan.
