Harvie Hill sets out strong goals for 2025 as Wigan Warriors prop talks squad competition and motivation

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors prop Harvie Hill has laid out his goals for the forthcoming campaign, admitting that he wants to play in more ‘big games’ for the reigning champions after 16 appearances across the Grand Slam winning year.

The 21-year-old had his first taste of a finals encounter as he featured from the interchange bench in the World Club Challenge triumph against Penrith Panthers in February, impressing the likes of Wigan and England icon Sam Tomkins after a fine display against some of the NRL’s biggest names, such as 2023 IRL Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris and fellow New Zealand international Moses Leota.

He made his first and only start to date shortly after in the 40-12 hammering over rivals Leigh Leopards in April - and after an impressive pre-season so far, the Cumbrian-born forward is eyeing up an even bigger personal year for the Cherry and Whites.

Hill said: “2025 was a good year, one I didn’t expect. Obviously playing in a big game like the World Club Challenge, but you want more from yourself year-on-year, and this year I want that.

“I want to play big games, I want to play more minutes. I’d be at the wrong club if I didn’t want to play in those big games - so that’s the goal.”

The Warriors arguably have the strongest front-row pack in the game with the likes of Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Tyler Dupree and Patrick Mago. And Hill admits that the competitive nature at Robin Park is bringing the best out of each other as he pushes to claim his own regular spot in the match day 17.

“It’s a really good group of middles. We’re all good mates, and training is really competitive. We want the best for each other,” Hill continued.

“You look at them boys, and you think you’ve got to lift your game. You’ve got to be strong and you’ve got to be faster, which is motivation for us younger lads.”

Matt Peet’s Warriors open their pre-season schedule on Sunday against Sean Long’s Oldham at Boundary Park, with a strong forward pack expected to feature against the Championship outfit

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... on-4942813

[the pieman]

i'm really looking forward to see him kick on (hopefully) this season and start to really challenge for a 1st team spot

we all know that at present Thompson and Havard are our preferred starting props, but thats the challenge for him and the others to try and knock them off their perches so to speak. In reality, we need the likes of Hill, Byrne and Dupree to ensure that there is absolutely no drop off in intensity when Thompson and Havard are subbed, or rested. Mago offers something completely different, hence i didnt include him in the rotation and aint going to do long minutes like the others are

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors boss delivers praise for highly-rated prop amid 'outstanding' pre-season

Following 16 appearances across the historic Grand Slam winning campaign, Harvie Hill is eyeing an even bigger and better campaign for Wigan Warriors in 2025 - and has impressed head coach Matt Peet throughout pre-season.
The 21-year-old Cumbrian is highly-rated at the Cherry and Whites, impressing over recent seasons, including a strong stint from the interchange bench against NRL champions Penrith Panthers in last year’s World Club Challenge battle at the Brick Community Stadium.

He also featured in crucial regular season wins over the likes of rivals St Helens, Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves as Wigan picked up back-to-back League Leaders’ Shields for their first time in Super League history.

The prop, named the club’s academy player of the year in 2021, crossed for his first senior try against London Broncos in the capital in March - before making it a brace in the 60-22 victory, while he added a third to his total tally against Adrian Lam’s Leopards in August.

Hill also stood-out as a leader amongst the younger group in pre-season training prior to Christmas, inspiring the way at the club’s annual Formby Beach session in December, joined by Wigan’s academy players.

“He’s a very vocal team member, he understands the game, and he’s from a rugby league family,” Peet said of Hill, son of former Oldham and Whitehaven player, Howard.

“Leadership comes quite naturally to him, and it’s something that we encourage him to express.

“He’s been outstanding all pre-season.”

In 2024, Hill enjoyed one more appearance than in the previous season, and has expressed his desire to play more minutes and in more ‘big games’ for the club, setting strong goals for the forthcoming campaign.

All but one of Hill’s 32 appearances have come from the interchange bench for Wigan to date, with a stacked pack at the Warriors that includes the likes of England internationals Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard and Tyler Dupree.

“For him, I think it’s about competing,” Peet continued.

“Last year, he was always in the conversations. He probably would have liked to have featured in more games, but sometimes it was about the balance on the bench, or to cover other positions.

“He’s certainly a trusted member of our playing group.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... on-4947010

[morley pie eater]

Clever move from Matty Peet. By praising Hill, he gives him a boost, but also lets the other props know that they need to be committed in training and on top of their game.