Hill warns England risk ruin if they don't secure better games after Samoa snub

13 November 2023 , 20:46

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England's Chris Hill takes on Tonga in the recent Test series at St Helens. (Image: PA)

Veteran England prop Chris Hill has warned their ongoing fixture issues must be sorted quickly or future World Cup hopes will be ruined.

The RFL is desperately trying to find new opponents for Shaun Wane’s side in 2024 after Samoa snubbed a Test series here next autumn. They have opted to play in the southern hemisphere’s Pacific Championships instead. It's a hammer blow for England who blasted Tonga in a series whitewash this autumn and were looking forward to taking on Samoa next, who beat them in last year’s World Cup semi-final.

With Australia and New Zealand in action in the Pacific Championships, England may have to play against France or the Combined Nations All Stars with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching. Huddersfield front-row Hill, who featured in all three Tests against Tonga, admitted: “You want to be playing your best standard of rugby. Samoa would have been a great challenge.

“It was a great challenge in the World Cup. They beat us in that semi so there was a bit of rivalry and bad blood that we needed to avenge which would have been nice. It is disappointing knowing they’re not coming. We need competitive games. The lads can’t be going into World Cups off just playing Exiles (All Stars). No disrespect but they’re not the level of a Test match.”

Having made his England debut in 2012, played in three World Cups and also represented Great Britain, he knows what is needed. Hill, 36, admitted: “The issue is probably cash. It always boils down to money. But we have to look at the big picture and the bigger picture for our game is to be playing better sides.

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“I remember when we went over to Australia to play Samoa mid-season in 2017. Maybe that’s the option. That won’t go down well with clubs and chief execs but we can’t have it both ways. If we want to grow our international game we have to put time and effort into it. And with that comes money.”

England's Chris Hill (left) is tackled by Tonga's Felise Kaufusi during the International Test Series match at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield. (PA)

Hill expects a “big transition” coming for England with older players like himself making way for the next crop of stars. He said: “You saw Harry Smith and how well he played against good NRL players in that Tonga side. And Mikey Lewis. They are the games we want to play in.

“That three weeks was an unbelievable result for us and England but we need that constantly every year. Personally I don’t think the French Test does anything. No disrespect to France, but I don’t really see the point of facing them. I’d love to see Yorkshire v Lancashire brought back to help. That would bring the best out of all the English talent and act like a trial. But we need to get something sorted.”

Meanwhile, the ex-Warrington star is facing a long off-season after revealing he suffered a serious injury in the final Test against Tonga. Hill said: "I tore my pec and it's going to keep me out for three to four months. I'm having the op' on Wednesday. I've a partially dislocated finger, too, which they’re doing at the same time so it’s going to be a laugh for a couple of weeks: my left pec and right finger. I'm hoping to be fit for the start of the season but we'll have to see."

David Craven