Tracing the amazing ascent of Harvie Hill, the proud Cumbrian prop for the Wigan Warriors

It was a triumph of spirit when Wigan Warriors famously, spectacularly, brilliantly defeated the Penrith Panthers, the reigning NRL team, in the World Club Challenge.

A victory shaped by the kind of group passion that the team was founded on and that is ingrained in their DNA.

Observe Wigan teams at all levels, from scholarship to first team, and you’ll notice a consistent set of attributes: physicality, aggression, and a reluctance to back down.

And naturally, not without skill.

But what made the Penrith game at the DW Stadium on February 24 unique was the willingness to risk your life for the cause.

Late in the game, Jai Field denied Taylan May a chance in the corner with a brilliant display of defense.

Abbas Miski and Field worked together to keep May out as Penrith got up for a final push and appeared to have scored a leveling try with seconds left as May dove for the line.

Wigan won the match because to those two occasions, but don’t undervalue the impact of youthful prop Harvie Hill who came on as a substitute.

The formidable 20-year-old from Whitehaven faced Penrith’s pack head-to-head and came out on top.

Former Wigan star Sam Tomkins told Love Rugby League after the game: “I was really impressed with Harvie Hill against Penrith.

“He’s a 20-year-old prop up against some of the best forwards in the world and he was moving better than some of these blokes who are getting paid a million dollars.

“That’s desire and is something that can’t really be taught.

“That’s certainly part of Wigan’s DNA. They recruit young players who come in and don’t stop.”

The World Club Challenge victory is Harvie Hill’s “career highlight” to date.
Playing for Hensingham in the Under-14s National Cup against Wigan St Patricks, the son of former Oldham and Whitehaven player Howard Hill was noticed by Wigan scouts.

He was drafted and then advanced through the Warriors development program.

Hill was named the club’s Academy Player of the Year in 2021 and went on to make his first team debut, alongside six other players, in 2022.

He made over a dozen Super League appearances last season as Matt Peet’s side were crowned champions at Old Trafford.

With six Super League games, two tries and two Challenge Cup appearances under his belt so far in 2024 – plus that World Club Challenge outing against Penrith – Hill’s stock continues to rise.

Speaking to Love Rugby League after last Sunday’s 60-6 win at Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Hill said: “I’d like to think I’m becoming a regular member of the team.

“But we’ll see what happens in the following weeks.

“The World Club Challenge was a fantastic experience and an occasion I really enjoyed.

“We were obviously up against the best in the NRL and these were players I had watched on telly.

“They’re a class side, but we just kept going and going and got the win.

“It was brilliant to be a part of and definitely a career highlight so far.

“Everyone loved it – all the lads, the club, the fans and my family. It was a great night.”

Like father, like son

Harvie’s dad, Howard Hill, in action for Oldham in 1997

Hill began playing rugby league as a seven-year-old and has been immersed in the sport ever since.

The influence of his father has been important as he explains: “I was a kid who watched rugby league, played rugby league and wanted to be around it all the time.

“I went all round the country watching my dad when he was playing for Whitehaven. That was a great experience too.”

Cumbria is a beautiful part of the world but they breed their rugby league players tough.

“That’s true, but it’s a county which is a bit tucked away so there’s a lot of talent which doesn’t get recognised up there,” added Hill.

“That’s tough, but I think if we can get more Cumbrian boys down here it would be great.”

Many Cumbrians follow Wigan as their Super League team and Hill is doing his home county proud.

“When there are big games at Wigan, a lot of people come down on buses from Cumbria,” he said.

“I’m proud to be from Cumbria, of course I am.

“I played for my local amateur team, Hensingham, right the way through and then joined Wigan on scholarship before coming right the way through to the first team.”

Hill served up a typically no-nonsense display in last Sunday’s demolition of Castleford.

Wigan were superior in every department as they took the Tigers to the cleaners.

“That’s what we strive for – being fast, aggressive, skilful and executing our chances,” explained Hill.

“There were parts of the game against Castleford where we didn’t execute, so that’s something to work on, but overall it was a good performance.”

Harvie Hill not looking too far ahead as he strives for improvement

Harvie Hill applauds the Wigan fans

Hill denied suggestions his targets for the season include bettering last season’s number of first team appearances.

“No, not really, my aim is just to improve myself,” he insisted.

“I’m still young in the middle, so I’ve got some good role models there in Luke Thompson and all those boys who I can look up to and learn things from each day.”

Hill has represented England Knights against France and Scotland but had not read the lavish praise heaped on him by Tomkins after his display against Penrith.

“It’s good to hear, obviously, but I just need to focus on my game and keep improving,” he said.

“My dad comes to the games to support me but when it comes to giving me advice, he just keeps out of it because he knows how good the coaches are here.

“What are my long-term goals? I think every young players strives to be the best.

“I just need to keep working hard and see where it takes me.”