Tom Hooper’s shoulder injury has left Australia facing the prospect of being without the Exeter forward for their November tour after he was forced off against Bristol.
The 25-year-old sustained a knock to the same right shoulder he injured playing for the Wallabies against Ireland in July. He underwent scans on Monday, with Australia due to begin preparations in London next week for their opening Test against England at Twickenham on November 9.
Hooper suffered a hairline fracture of his scapula during the Ireland match and spent seven weeks sidelined. He missed four Tests against France, Italy and Japan, including matches in Osaka and Townsville, before returning against Argentina in Salvador de Jujuy and South Africa in Perth.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said Hooper had aggravated the previous injury during the Chiefs’ Premiership match with Bristol.
“He got a bang on his shoulder, which he hurt before, hopefully it is not a bad injury,” Baxter said after the game. “He will probably have to have a scan on it. Hopefully he has just aggravated it, but we won’t know properly for a little while. It is the shoulder he hurt playing for Australia against Ireland.”
A further fracture would be likely to rule Hooper out of the four-Test tour. He and Taniela Tupou missed the Bledisloe series in October after returning to their clubs in England and France, but both were named last week as Giteau Law selections for the Wallabies’ November squad, alongside Hunter Paisami.
Australia’s back-row resources have already been weakened by injuries to Charlie Cale, Pete Samu and Langi Gleeson. Nick Champion de Crespigny, who has won six Tests, is on standby after replacing Hooper on the bench for the opening Bledisloe Cup match in Auckland.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss could also consider Brumbies lock and back-rower Toby Macpherson, who was added to the squad for the Bledisloe series and is currently with Australia A in the United States.
Reds back-rower Joe Brial is another option after scoring a strong performance at No 8 in Australia A’s 61-12 victory over the US. Two-Test Wallaby Josh Kemeny, who joined Northampton after playing for Australia in 2023, has also remained in contact with Rugby Australia officials.
Australia A will face the Eagles again in New Jersey on Sunday, with Zac Lomax, Luke Reimer and Corey Toole expected to feature after missing the first meeting in Nashville. Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are also likely to form a new halves partnership.
