Hill is backed for a big future at Hull FC.
Hull FC prop Harvie Hill.
Andy Last is backing young Hull FC prop Harvie Hill to kick on at the club after what was an arguable season-best display against St Helens last week. The 22-year-old ran for 113 metres against the Saints from 15 carries, also making 35 tackles and missing none in two stints that totalled over an hour of playing time.
Signing for the Black and Whites from Wigan Warriors ahead of the 2026 season on a four-year deal, Hill is the only member of the first-team squad to remain ever-present this year.
Leading the pack, he has gone from a third interchange middle at Wigan to a regular starter at Hull, a challenge made all the more difficult after Liam Knight’s early-season exit, not to mention injuries to Herman Ese’ese, Sam Lisone, and Ligi Sao. And Last has now praised the Cumbrian for never backing down despite those challenges, predicting a further rise in the coming years.
“His numbers were outstanding last week,” Last told Hull Live. “He took our team-based actions as player of the game, which is great for Harvie. It was nice for someone other than Joe Batch to get it.
“I think we forget he’s 22 years of age; everyone talks about a front rower, and they don’t hit the best years until 26 or 27. We’ve brought him from Wigan as a 22-year-old to be that pack leader, and he’s needed a little bit more support from players around him.
“That’s something that Herman has spoken about and that’s something that I know that Ligi Sao and Sam Lisone have spoken about. He has been left out there a little bit on his own because they’ve been injured and their form probably hasn’t been where they’ve wanted it to be.
“But Harvie is someone who hasn’t missed a game; he’s been available for selection, he’s robust – I hope I don’t jinx him there. He plays big minutes as well, he’s got a good engine, and he’s a tough kid, a real tough kid.
“We’re really pleased with how he’s progressed this year and he’ll definitely be better for us moving forward. He is (a baby in prop terms) but that’s a credit to him.
“I think he’s played with a level of maturity this year which probably defies his age, but he comes to work ready, and I think that’s credit to the Wigan system. There’s no coincidence that we signed someone from Wigan and he’s tough as old boots, carries the ball strongly, and wants to hit and hurt people.
“There are some qualities in a front rower which Harvie possesses, and he tries to be an enforcer and that’s something that we really like about him. I know he’s going to get better for us the more that we expose him to playing week in, week out so again, credit to him.”
Hill could get a shot in the arm against Castleford Tigers this Friday night with the inclusions of Sao and Lisone, who are ready to go after recent injuries – a timely boost given the loss of Yusuf Aydin and recall for loan prop Max Wood.
“They’ve done everything that they needed to do,” Last added. “They’re in the squad, but I haven’t confirmed if they’ll both be in the 17 yet. They’ve trained well, but there’s nothing like playing. Ligi and Sam will give me a little bit of a selection headache, which is good at this time of year.”