The prop is finding his feet at Hull FC.
11:20, 26 Feb 2026Updated 11:30, 26 Feb 2026
Hull FC prop Harvie Hill.
John Cartwright has praised new Hull FC signing Harvie Hill for adapting to a new role this season – and is backing him to continue to hit his straps at his new club. The prop forward has started all three of the side’s competitive games so far – playing a leading part in the Black and Whites’ pack.
That role – and the responsibility that comes with it – is set to continue on Friday night, with Hull hosting Super League newcomers York Knights at the MKM Stadium. And Cartwright, who made Hill one of Hull’s first recruits for 2026 last year, has been impressed with what he’s seen so far, with the 22-year-old going from a ‘third interchange’ prop at former club Wigan to a starting member of the Hull pack.
Excelling with his work rate and impact in the middle of the field, Hill has been good value so far, leading the way with his strong carries and defensive contact, and for good measure, getting over for his first try late in last week’s defeat to the Warriors.
“I thought, in a beaten side, Harvey was really strong last week,” Cartwright said. “He tried hard and he tried to turn the tide with his defence. His work rate was really high.
“He’s also playing a lot more minutes with us than he did at Wigan. Wigan had a lot of middles last year and they rotated them around, and he was always that third middle off the bench, so he didn’t get a lot of time, but he’s adapted now.
“He’s getting a lot more time on the field and as far as middles go, he was one of our better ones. He gave as good as he got.”
Cartwright also praised Arthur Romano once again after a strong start to life at his new club following his off-season move from Catalans Dragons.
“He’s been consistent with everything that he’s done,” Cartwright said. “What you see on a weekend is exactly how he trains; he comes in to get better every day, he trains hard every day, and he’s getting very popular with his teammates.”
As for Friday’s game, Hull are now targeting a response against a York side that are also one from two in Super League so far this year. Knowing the challenge ahead, FC need a performance based on hard work, with how they shape up physically a big improvement target after last week.
“I know we’re a lot better than that,” Cartwright added. “We failed to show our fans and ourselves that, but it’s not complicated. Physically, we were dominated, and if you dominate sides physically, or at least get a share of that domination, it makes the game a tight contest. That was the disappointing thing and the thing that we’ve taken out as a group: that physically we’ve got to be a lot better.
“When you’re playing on the back foot, it’s hard to get any attacking range on them. There were occasions where we were able to shift the ball and looked a little bit menacing, but you’ve got to be able to do it continuously, put them into corners, and make life really tough.
“It’s a mindset thing for us. We’re aware of our shortcomings and that’s the first thing you need to make yourself better. It’s all in the response now. We’ll see how we respond on Friday night.”