
Sean O’Loughlin has named Harvie Hill as one of Wigan Warriors’ most impressive performers over pre-season so far. The Warriors are now just over a week away from their first competitive game of the new season with Sheffield Eagles waiting for them in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
As such, they are in the process of stepping up their preparations with almost every member of their first-team squad picking up minutes on the pitch at some point over the last two weeks in friendlies against Oldham and Leeds Rhinos. Hill performed well in both games as he looks to stake a claim for a more regular spot in the Cherry and Whites side over the coming season.
The forward made 16 appearances for Wigan last season as he continues his development and O’Loughlin has seen a determination in him over the last few months to kick on and prove himself under Matt Peet.
“I thought he was one our standouts [vs Leeds Rhinos] for the conditions and the way the game was but he’s been very good,” O’Loughlin said after the game at Headingley, which Wigan lost 22-4.
“He’s been in pre-season since day one with all the young boys and he’s put a lot of work in. He’s one of those players that needs to be playing regular now.
“I think last year, I don’t know the number of games he played, but he would have wanted more minutes and time on the field. He’s attacked pre-season like his intentions are to really go after a spot so it’s credit to him the way he’s gone and I’m sure with performances like that he’ll be pushing more and more for it.”
While some Super League clubs are readying themselves for their final pre-season friendly this weekend, Wigan Warriors will be reaping the benefits of warm weather training in Tenerife. Hull KR and Warrington Wolves have used the same facilities already this weekend and the hope is that the trip away will leave Wigan in the right place both mentally and physically to start the season.
“It’s not the main focus, defence over attack, but you get opportunities to train on a dry pitch and with a dry ball and it sharpens the skill side up,” O’Loughlin added. “Everything is a little bit quicker on a dry track so as much as the ball is sharper it tests your D a little bit more.
“It’s just kind of fine tuning everything really and you get that little bit more quality when you’re on it. We’re not going to be doing anything different, it’s just going after that quality side of things a little bit more.”
