AT the age of 34, former Warrington Wolves prop Chris Hill decided it was time to step into the unknown.

And his late career switch is set to pay off as he prepares to make a fifth Challenge Cup final appearance with his new club Huddersfield Giants.

The former Leigh front rower had been with The Wire for a decade and played a key role in the Wembley triumphs of 2012 and 2019 as well as four Grand Final appearances at Old Trafford.

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Hill lifts the Challenge Cup with The Wire in 2019. Picture by Mike Boden

It was something of a shock when he turned down the offer of a new contract at the end of last season, opting instead to join Ian Watson’s revolution at the John Smith’s Stadium, and has not looked back.

The Giants are handily placed at the halfway stage in Super League for a push for a maiden Grand Final and will take on Wigan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, hoping to end a 69-year wait to get their hands on the famous trophy once more.

“Last year I had a chat with my wife and said ‘I think it’s time for a change’,” Wigan-born Hill said.

“I wasn’t enjoying it as much so I thought it was time I moved on and took myself out of my comfort zone, such as travelling to training which I’d never done before.

“It was with a new group of lads – I only knew Watto, Jez (Jermaine McGillvary) and Leroy (Cudjoe) – and it was a case of throwing yourself in at the deep end.

“I didn’t know how it was going to go but I wanted to challenge myself.”

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Hill playing against Warrington for new club Huddersfield back in April. Picture by SWPix.com

Hill, who was an England regular up to and including the 2017 World Cup final, has re-discovered both his appetite and his form in the claret and gold and puts the team’s success down to the shrewd management of Watson, who rebuilt his team this year around new signings Hill, Theo Fages and Tui Lolohea.

“There was a change in personnel,” Hill said. “Watto got rid of a few and brought in a few. Theo has been leading us around, he’s been a really good signing.

“And Watto has got us buying into everything. We enjoy each other’s company and togetherness goes a long way.

“I played with Watto at Leigh and heard a lot of good raps about him. We met up and you just get that feeling, that connection. I’m glad I made the move.

“He knows the game inside out. He will have watched umpteen videos of Wigan, I don’t know if he sleeps. He’s very methodical and expects the best out of us all the time.”

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Hill celebrates the Giants' Challenge Cup semi-final win over Hull KR. Picture by SWPix.com

With four cup final appearances already under his belt, Hill will spend the week passing on tips to his young team-mates and urging them to enjoy the occasion.

“You’ve got to enjoy it because you don’t know when the next one is coming,” he said.

“I’m lucky enough to have played in five, Jez has been here 11 or 12 years and this is his first.

“You’re a long time retired so you’ve got to enjoy moments like this, the week’s build-up.

“We had a good session this morning. Everyone was buzzing and said ‘enjoy it because the week goes that quick and the game is even quicker’.”