The 21-year-old's signing news on Monday means he will add to his 15 appearances to date with the Brumbies, under incoming head coach Stephen Larkham.

But he wants to be named by Dan McKellar first for the quarter-final match up against the Wellington Hurricanes.

"It's good timing. I've got that little bit of skip in my step coming into finals," he said.

"I'm going to be here for two years and couldn't be happier. So it's a good mindset to be in heading into some finals and some tough games.

"I'm definitely pinching myself. The team hasn't come out yet but hopefully I'm in there abouts and can do a job for the team in finals.

"It's definitely a daunting task but one that we're ready for, and hopefully one I'm ready for too."

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The lock has made four starts for the team - and was set for his fifth during the 10-point loss to Moana Pasifika before he was recalled due to a hamstring niggle - since his Super Rugby debut last year against the Canterbury Crusaders.

Hooper confirmed it was "just a little tweak to the old Christmas ham" but he was all good to go for finals, giving McKellar plenty of options for his starting XV choices.

McKellar said it was a really important retention for the club.

"At a young age, his professionalism and commitment to nailing detail is really impressive, and I think over the past 12 months that has really shown in his performances on the field and in training," he said.

"You always want to see guys like that succeed and I believe as Hoops matures and gets more and more minutes at this level, that work ethic will turn him into an even more important player for the Brumbies."

With questions hanging over Rob Valetini's return from a hamstring strain, and locks Nic Frost, Darcy Swain and Cadeyrn Neville running at 100 per cent, the backrow could be an option for Hooper.

Either way he would not want to be anywhere else.

The Bathurst boy made the move to Canberra after high school to play for the Tuggeranong Vikings before going on to graduate from the Brumbies pathway program, but he almost chose somewhere else to begin his senior career - Sydney.

Hooper's retention means the majority of the Brumbies second row and backrow options are confirmed to return for the 2023 season.

"[It] was the best decision I've ever made and I've truly loved every minute of it and on top of that, the Brumbies is the best place for me to develop my game so it was an easy decision," Hooper said.

"Coming into HQ with a good bunch of boys who also happen to be world class players just makes you want to get better and better and after ticking off a few goals, I'm excited to continue working hard in any role for the team."

He joins teammates Neville, Frost, Sefo Kautai, Andy Muirhead, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan and Lachlan Lonergan in re-committing to the ACT colours in recent weeks.

With three consecutive losses behind them heading into the Hurricanes fixture, the Brumbies know what needs to change. Hooper said they needed to be more physical.

"That's what we've prided ourselves on," he said.

"We've delivered that against the Blues and the Crusaders so it's just being physical, and then being clinical as well, converting A-zone opportunities and go from there.

"We are three straight losses but finals footy is completely different. Everyone will just have to bring the energy, bring a positive attitude and we know that we can get the best of them."