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'I’ve loved it ever since': Hooper embraces Northland as historic final looms
Jaxin Daniels • October 20th, 2026 2:21 pm
Northland's Lachie Hooper | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
Northland openside flanker Lachlan Hooper says his time with the Taniwha has exceeded expectations as the team prepares for its first NPC grand final.
The Australian joined Northland after hearing about the quality of New Zealand’s provincial competition, although he does admit he knew little about the region before arriving.
“My manager told me, have you heard of Whangārei? And I was like, no,” Hooper told Sport Nation Mornings.
“I wasn’t really expecting much, and then once I got over here, I’ve just loved it ever since.”
Hooper, who first played for Northland last season, has enjoyed the connection between the team and its supporters, especially during the Taniwha’s Ranfurly Shield campaign.
“The fans here are just unreal,” he said.
“It’s such an awesome community and being able to, when we had the shield, take it up north and see more of the community and just how much it means to everyone to actually have something to get behind.”
The Taniwha will meet Canterbury at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium on Monday, with a chance to make history.
Hooper said the team was excited for the opportunity but would need to stay composed.
“Just to be able to be here, we've just got to keep our heads cool, play the game that we know we can do, because that's when you get slipped up and fall a little short."
Things were tense from the start in Northland's semifinal win against Otago | Photo: Joshua Devenie / www.photosport.nz
Hooper also described learning more about the haka through Northland’s coach, Ryan Martin, who has encouraged the squad to understand its cultural significance.
“We actually sort of learned that bit of in-depth behind it and stuff,” Hooper said.
“We actually met the guy who had created our Haka the other day, so it's pretty cool just to see all those little things that go in behind it.”
After his Northland stint, Hooper will join the Reds.
He believes the experience has helped him understand a different rugby culture and will benefit him when he returns to Australia.
“Being able to take things from here back to there and being able to bring things from there over here has been awesome,” he said. “It’s definitely going to benefit me in the future.”
Northland have made it to the big dance for the first time, with Hooper's Northland Taniwha aiming to make their Christchurch trip one to remember.
Listen to the full interview below:
