Warrington Grand Final win would raise smile for Chris Hill

Thinks will certainly be different at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2022 for a number of reasons.

With Daryl Powell coming in as head coach and several new players joining him, there is the feel of a new era at The Wire.

However, they go into it without a man who has become the cornerstone of their pack over the past decade as Hill moves on.

His journey at Huddersfield Giants is one that clearly excites him, but his plan was to see out his playing days with the club that turned him into an international star.

“When I signed my last deal, my plan was to end my career at Warrington,” he said.

“However, not everything goes to plan whether that’s in the game or in life. I’m looking forward to moving to Huddersfield now.

“I’d say its just about sunk in.

Chris Hill dejected after his final Warrington Wolves game - last month's play-off loss to Hull KR. Picture by Mike Boden

“It’s never going to be the same group again – its like that every year with people coming and going but there’s a bit more change this year.

“It’s a bit of a new era for the place, with players and coaches going and new coaches coming in.

“I’ll never leave Warrington behind. The place will always be in my heart and I’ll always be knocking around.

“The kids might be the most difficult ones to change – my little girl goes to sleep with her two toy Wolfies every night!”

When the signing of a promising prop forward from Leigh Centurions was announced partway through 2011, not many would have predicted said signing would go on to achieve what he did.

Fast forward a decade and Hill leaves having graced the biggest stages the game has to offer, both domestically and internationally.

Whether it is contributing to two Challenge Cup Final wins – the second as co-captain – League Leaders’ Shields or runs to World Cup finals, it has been quite the ride.

Hill lifts the Challenge Cup having co-captained The Wire to victory over St Helens at Wembley in 2019. Picture by Mike Boden

In the weeks since his departure was announced, those memories have come flooding back.

“Looking at the messages people have left for me since the news came out, it’s so touching,” he said.

“I’ve made friends for life through the club – staff as well as players – and I’ll always be part of this community, but its time to move on.

“I’ve tried my best for 10 years to put smiles on faces and I want to thank everybody who’s wished me well on social media or in person.

“I’m just glad I’ve managed to give people any kind of joy over the past 10 years.

“Lifting the Challenge Cup as a captain made me immensely proud, but for me walking out with my eldest at Old Trafford and Wembley will stick out.

“I know we didn’t get the result in either game, but it was very special and a memory I’ll never forget.”

Chris Hill walks out onto the Old Trafford pitch with son Connor ahead of the 2016 Super League Grand Final. Picture by Mike Boden

Indeed, there is only one thing missing that would have completed Hill’s time at the club – that elusive Grand Final win.

He was a part of four losing Old Trafford efforts and now, having spent most of his career trying to help Warrington land the big one, his focus switches now to trying to stop them.

“Obviously I don’t know what Daryl (Powell) and his coaches will bring,” he said.

“He’s done really well at Cas so he will bring something different to the place.

“The infrastructure is there, the talent is there for them to take the final step.

“We’ll be doing our best at Huddersfield to stop it but if Warrington did go on to win a Grand Final, it will still bring a smile to my face.”