If there is one signing that has been in incredible form in 2022, then it is Huddersfield Giants’ Chris Hill.
Having been allowed to leave by incoming Warrington Wolves boss Daryl Powell, Hill joined Ian Watson’s revolution at the John Smith’s Stadium.
And, boy the England international has impressed.
“He’s been a great professional, he created a reputation for himself from the Championship and then became one of the best front rowers in the country,” Watson said.
“He’s still performing and one of the best front rowers in the country which shows what kind of person Chris is and how he prepares for his rugby – I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“There was only Alex Walmsley in front of Chris Hill with stats last year, I talked to Jez and put his stats up before the game and he came up to him and said I didn’t realise how good he was still going.
“Jez talked to him during the game and asked if he fancy coming to the club!”
For Watson, it’s the things that Hill does off the field that makes the on-field product so good.
“He knows when he can have a laugh and knows when to turn it on to be a professional – everything he does is really professional.
“It was the same when he was at Leigh, he was doing the right things then, training hard and having a great work ethic.
“He is a big miss for Warrington and they haven’t replaced him, but he’s been phenomenal for us, he played 70 minutes against Catalans.”
Hill himself revealed just why he left, too.
“I’ve never been in the last year of my contract as I’d always signed for a few years, but I knew Pricey (former Warrington boss Steve Price) was leaving and the backroom staff was going too,” Hill told the Rugby League Review podcast.
“I said to my wife I need a change – I’m getting older and I’ve spent ten years at the club, so I had it in my head early.
“It was tough; I didn’t let any of the lads know, but I leave some good mates behind, especially Stefan (Ratchford) and (Mike) Cooper.