mens
bunnings-npc
In 2025, young professional Lachlan Hooper had only one option after Super Rugby Pacific: Whangarei.
“I’ve never heard of that,” Hooper laughed RugbyPass.
“Northland was after a loose attack. That was the only option on the table; okay then.”
On Labor Day Monday, Hooper will start at openside for Northland in their first NPC Division I final against the defending champions Canterbury in Te Kaha, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch.
Northland will be looking to repeat their stunning 36-12 win over Canterbury on August 20 when they won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1978. It was their first win against Canterbury in Christchurch since 1987.
“One thing I know about finals footy is that it’s going to be 100 per cent tough,” Hooper admitted.
“We have a plan that has worked for us. We will back it up again. If we are accurate in our sets, win the collisions and throw in a few surprises, it will be a good game.”
Northland’s brutality and versatility were the hallmarks of their 2026 campaign. James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Rob Rush, Allan Craig and Terrell Peita were a force of nature this year. Hooper played lock and across the back row.
To remember, he scored three tries in a game against 42-0 Taranaki August 14th. It was the first time since Sept. 3, 1980, that Northland had held a Division I opponent to a scoreless shutout. That was it Otago at home, 7-0. Halfback and Maori All Black Steve Griffin scored the only try, while All Black full back Ian “Magic” Dunn kicked a penalty.
In a successful 34-17 Ranfurly Shield defense against Waikato On September 12, when halfback Sam Nock celebrated his 100th game for Northland, Hooper grabbed the headlines with two tries. In 12 appearances this year, he has made 118 tackles, recovered 13 turnovers and secured 26 sacks. Hooper believes that success began on October 5, 2025, when Counties Manukau beat Tasman 49-41 to keep Northland out of the playoffs.
“If Tasman had won that game, we would have been in the play-offs. We vowed not to put ourselves in that position again,” Hooper explained.
“Early this year we had an intense camp: no phones, no wifi, just 30 boys focused on fitness, game plan, team building and setting clear goals about what we want to achieve. Taking away luxuries can cause that internal struggle.
“Whangarei. What does that mean now? It’s like a second home. I’m from Bathurst and, like Whangarei, there’s not a lot, but there’s something about the sense of community and the passion of the fans in both places that draws you in. Northland itself is such a beautiful place when the sun is shining. The beaches are fantastic and some of the more remote parts are just shown to me.
“Culturally, it was a unique experience. My first hack was an embarrassment. There’s footage of it floating around somewhere. I’m glad it’s gone. It’s a shock.
“It was really special to dive deeper into the culture and understand what taniwha means. It’s about being custodians of something bigger than yourself.”
Rugby Database reports that 27 Australian-born players have been included in the 2026 NPC, an increase of more than 237 per cent from 2021. Hudson Creighton, Daniel Botha, Reesjan Pasitoa and James Ramm are the other Australians to wear Taniwha’s sky blue jersey this season.
“It’s great to be embraced by the Kiwis and, from a development perspective, it’s a big challenge to get out of your comfort zone,” Hooper said.
“When we won the Ranfurly Shield, we made sure we were the last ones to touch it and get a photo. The sense of pride wherever we went with him was something I’d never experienced before. It wasn’t hard to get up for those sold-out games, but it also brings out the best in the opposition. We were gutted to lose but we brought it to the counties and they did well enough and we did it. It’s cool for them.”
For 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, Hooper signed with the Queensland Reds. His brother is Wallabies international Tom Hooper.
