Hull FC were feeling the pressure before last week’s win. Here’s Harvie Hill on that reality, his own big changes, and kicking on.
Hull FC’s Harvie Hill, Brad Fash & Davy LItten celebrate victory over Leeds.(Image: sw pix)
To say Hull FC’s victory over Leeds Rhinos came at the most opportune time would be an understatement. There was an element of pressure coming into camp and while the 24-16 win over the Rhinos has eased some of that pressure, the Black and Whites know it all counts for nothing without another strong performance and hopefully result against Catalans Dragons this Sunday afternoon.
Looking to go back-to-back at the MKM Stadium, Hull are setting out on producing a display built on the same principles, with a foundation to their game set in terms of completing high and defending tough, bringing energy to the table, and gaining the necessary foothold to turn the screw and put the choke on their opposition.
Against Leeds, Hull nailed that recipe, and now the challenge, as outlined by rising prop Harvie Hill, is to go again.
“We just need to keep looking inwards,” Hill, speaking to Hull Live, said. “We need to look at what we can control as players and those are our effort areas. There was loads of effort on show last Sunday and you could see how much it meant to us.
“I thought we nailed that and it just creates energy for us but in the ground too – you could see the fans get on the back of it and then we got on the back of it. We just seemed to grow in confidence as well.
“We know the performances before haven’t been what we wanted, but we were gritty on Sunday. We had a few lads missing, but that was more like us. We started fast, and then you all saw what happened.”
Outlining what Hull did right against the Rhinos, Hill continued: “We completed a lot better, and then we got on the front foot with our defence. Prior to last Sunday, we’ve made too many errors and that’s put us under the pump. You can’t constantly defend those errors.
“Our go-forward was also better. Our backs need us to go forward and over the last couple of weeks, we didn’t really do that for them. I think Sunday was the first time we’ve done and then we’ve seen how good Jake (Arthur) played on the back of it.
“We’ve spoken before about the ruck speed, and if we’re not on the front foot, the decisions seem to go against us, but there were a lot of lads who had really good games. It was a tough couple of weeks coming into that game, but that was more like the performance level that we strive to be at.
“There was a bit of pressure in camp; we were on a losing streak and we weren’t playing so well, but we dug in. Long may that continue.”
Finding his feet at his new club, Hill has led the way since swapping Wigan Warriors for East Yorkshire ahead of the 2026 season. Signing a four-year deal, the goal was to get more Super League minutes and a greater role in the team and so far, he’s done exactly that.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Hill said. “It’s a bit tougher playing the longer minutes, and it has been a bit of shock to the system, but that’s why I wanted to change. It’s just getting my head around that and playing a bigger role in the team.
“For me, it’s just been about keeping my standards high with longer minutes on the field. You can get a bit sloppy when you’re out there for long spells, but I’m trying my hardest not to.
“I just want to keep improving. It was a big decision (to leave Wigan); I had been there all my rugby life, but I think I had to change for what was best for me.
“I had a chat with Carty and I liked the way Carty talks and the way he coaches his players. He’s also a fresh voice for me with different ideas. He’s got different ways for how I can improve my game. There’s a lot of experience around me with John (Asiata) and Ligi (Sao). I’m just trying to listen and take in what I can.”
Relishing the physical side, Hill had a wound to his face stitched up after the York game. He explained: “I caught an elbow. It’s just something that happens. It wasn’t so much of a big hit; it was just an awkward one. It can be (a tough gig at times).
“I would say I’ve edged it in the five games so far, though. The doctor’s done a good job on me. I got it stitched up and it’s closed up now.”
The physical side of the game is a big area for Hill, who is ready to go on Super League’s 30th birthday weekend with another big performance against the Dragons.
“We’ve been training hard, even when we’ve been losing, which is good,” he added. “It’s the sign of a good group, but we’ll see if we can back it up now. They’re a really good team, Catalans, and they’ve got some strike players all over. We know we’ve got to be on it again.”