Harvey Livett went from starting at Wembley to wondering where his next game was coming from in a matter of months.
The talented back rower was a key member of the Warrington side that reached last year’s Challenge Cup final, playing 22 times in total for the Wolves.
But the return from long-term injury of Ben Currie this season reduced Livett to a bit-part role and the occasional match on dual registration with Rochdale.
Tonight he is preparing for a huge city derby with a Hull KR side scrapping for their Super League lives.
Livett has teamed up again with old coach Tony Smith on a month’s loan at the Robins and is keen to make up for lost time.
Livett said: “It’s been an up and down year – I’m still happy at Warrington but after playing all last season it’s been a bit frustrating.
“Currie was injured last year which was a big part in why I ended up playing at first, and I stayed in that position on form.
“I knew he was coming back and I’d have to fight to get into the team, and if you look at Warrington they’re second in the league so they must be doing something right.
“It got to the point where I wanted to be playing Super League week-in, week-out again and I’m fortunate that Hull KR came in with Tony here now.”
Livett – whose dad Peter is a former Workington Town team-mate of Smith – chose rugby league ahead of football as a youngster after spending time on the books at Liverpool and Blackburn.
He showed glimpses of his ability in Hull KR’s narrow defeat at London last week and is now keen to show Robins fans what he can do against the Black and Whites.
Livett added: “I spoke to Tom Lineham at Warrington about Hull derbies and he told me the atmosphere is unbelievable.
(Image: PA)
“Hopefully I can give the team a bit of strike power – I don’t mind coming into a side that expects me to bring a bit of magic.
“Nobody’s talking about relegation but obviously it will be in the back of people’s minds.
“But there’s still plenty of games to go and Tony will keep us focused on week-by-week – it’s a big match and we’re keen to get two points and start moving forward.”
Rovers will hand a debut to Leeds hooker Matt Parcell after he completed his swap move with Shaun Lunt, while the Rhinos have also confirmed the exchange of half-back Tui Lolohea for Salford’s Rob Lui.
