Hooper, 24, is set to link with Exeter after the conclusion of the Rugby Championship in early October. Despite the scrapping of the Giteau Law, which limited the number of overseas-based Australians allowed to be picked for Wallabies duty, Rugby Australia chief executive officer Phil Waugh last week said domestic players of “equal” calibre would still be prioritised. While Hooper – who has spent the past five seasons with the ACT Brumbies – is expected to be back playing in Australia in 2027 ahead of that year’s Rugby World Cup, he has jeopardised his Wallabies spot for a significant period by joining Exeter. However, he’s still comfortable with the decision, which was made seven months ago. “I still stand by that decision, because I’m going to go over there and improve as a player,” Hooper said from Johannesburg. where the Wallabies will meet world champions South Africa on Sunday morning (AEST). “I don’t have a crystal ball. Unfortunately, I don’t know what’s going to happen in my future, but I’ll just keep making decisions based on being a good rugby player and hopefully playing in that gold jersey, because I absolutely love it. “Right now I’m just focusing where my feet are, and right now my feet are in South Africa, and I’ve got a job to do here. “Soon enough, we’ll be back home. I have a job to do there, and then I have a job to do in the Exeter jersey, and I’ll pour every little bit of energy that I can into that team, improve as a player, hopefully improve that club, and then whatever my next journey is, I’ll do the exact same thing.” Hooper is in top form after producing a man-of-the-match performance in Australia’s 22-12 win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney earlier this month. It was Hooper’s first starting appearance for Australia since the 2023 World Cup. “It was a huge moment,” Hooper said. “Watching back at the game. I think there was a few other guys that were probably more deserving. They were amazing, but it was definitely a team effort. “I know it sounds clichéd, but it was just good for me to get back in that starting jersey. It’s the first time I’ve been back there since the World Cup. “It’s been a long road on field and off field. It was pretty special to be out there, and just to get the win, more than anything. “It was great to get the win with the guys and be a part of a change room that had a great vibe about it.” It’s a “vibe” the Wallabies have brought with them to South Africa. “You saw throughout that Test series (against the Lions), we were in the business of getting better, and we’re just going to continue to strive to do that,” Hooper said. “It’s really nice and calm among the group, but we know we’ve got a lot to take on board mentally, and then from there, we’re just physically working.”