Last 12 months a blur, says Chris Hill
Warrington forward Chris Hill has described the last 12 months as unbelievable and a massive blur.
Hill, 24, had spent his entire career at Leigh Centurions, featuring in both of their winning Northern Rail Cup Final teams in 2006 and 2011, before being snapped up by Wolves boss Tony Smith at the start of this season on a two-year contract.
Since his move, he has earned his place in the Wolves starting 13 receiving praise from all directions for his efforts on the pitch on top of a new four-year contract which he was handed last month, and was this week named in the England Knights training squad.
He said: “My last 12 months have been a massive blur I was speaking to someone about it before. It has been unbelievable for me so far at the Warrington Wolves.
“The lads have made the transition very easy for me. I trained with them at the back end of last season and pre-season so they got to know me before the start of this season. I wasn’t like the new boy at school, the coach’s and players were brilliant to me.
“Tony Smith has been an absolutely brilliant coach; he is one of the best in Super League. It’s been great to learn off of his experiences and hopefully we can get into the Grand Final and win it for him.”
Hill was part of Warrington’s winning Challenge Cup Final side two weeks ago and he told Love Rugby League the main differences between playing in the Championship and Super League.
He said, “I’ve noticed it’s the quickness of the ruck and speed of the ball mainly, as I operate in the middle I see a lot of the ball.
“I’ve mainly been learning little things in the game. I’ve been concentrating on the little things well off the more experienced guys like Morley and Carvell. It has been a great experience picking up the little things from guys like them.
“I’ve got smarter and quicker as I have continued learning the little things throughout the season and it is a matter of doing these small things well in games.
“You have to be on your game every week and fight for your position otherwise you are dropped.”
Testament to his abilities, Hill picked up three awards in Warrington’s Annual Awards Evening on Tuesday night, taking the Players Player of the year, Player of the year and the Vice President’s Award.