Harry’s a Red now
Ex-Grammar student beats injury ‘curse’ to join Super Rugby team
Harry Hoopert will always remember running out through the tunnel onto the Toowoomba Grammar School oval as part of the First XV rugby squad.
This year the former TGS prop hopes to run out with the Queensland Reds after being named in their 2018 Super Rugby squad.
The 19-year-old said he was “over the moon” to get the call up after a couple of tough years battling injuries.
Earlier this year Hoopert under went a shoulder reconstruction after getting injured in the U20s grand final.
He had only just recovered from tearing the posterior cruciate ligament (PTL) in his knee twice last year.
“It’s not easy going through all these injuries. You start not doubting yourself (but) it was pretty physically and mentally tough,” Hoopert said.
“But you get stuck in, put your head down and give it all you got.
“You get through it and look what happens.”
Now he is ready to put injury and rehab behind him and get stuck into pre-season with the Reds next week where he will be training alongside some of his idols.
“As a kid playing rugby for the (Dalby) Wheatmen I always watched the Reds on TV,” Hoopert said.
“Guys like Scott Higginbotham and James Slipper who I’ve always idolised, it’s pretty surreal.
“It always takes a bit to kick it. It’s just unreal training with all those professionals and realising you’re there as well.”
He never thought this moment would come to fruition.
“I always thought it was too big,” he said.
He believed his playing days at Toowoomba Grammar School were a huge stepping stone to where he was now.
“It definitely helped. It just gives you more preparation for what’s coming,” he said.
His goal for next season is to make his debut for the Reds.
“That’s my main goal and to learn off all the experienced players,” he said.
Joining Hoopert in the squad are TGS old boys Markus Vanzati, Jean-Pierre Smith and Hamish Stewart. Stewart and Hoopert played in the same Grammar team from 2014-15.