It seems a long time ago since Harvey Livett first burst onto the scene.
As a teenager, he caught the attention of everyone as he produced some dazzling performances for hometown club Warrington, especially during his debut year of 2017, and it appeared a star had been born.
But things haven’t perhaps gone down the path many would have predicted when he turned down a move to the NRL and signed a new deal with the Wolves in 2018.
Since then, Livett admits he hasn’t played for the Wolves as much as he would have liked. Last season saw him make just eleven appearances for Warrington, which came in and amongst games for their dual-registration partner at the time, Rochdale Hornets.
“I’ve not got the game time I’ve wanted,” Livett told League Express.
“The most I’ve played in a season is 24. That was when Ben Currie was injured, but once he came back I dropped back a few places.”
Eventually, he was loaned out to Hull KR for the closing stages of last season, before pushing for a return to the Robins this year.
“If I had stayed at the Wire I’d have played reserves or maybe at Widnes; a few of the boys have played a few games there. But I wanted to get the Super League level experience. There are a few people who can play in the positions I do at Warrington. I don’t mind the competition, but I’ve got to have a good year and play games.
“I’d worked with Tony Smith before and we contacted him to see if he’d want me again. Warrington were more than happy to let me go and get the game time and I was all for it.”
Some may argue that Livett, now 23, has suffered as a result of his own versatility. In the early stages of his career, he has been used as a centre, at back-row, in the halves and even at loose-forward.
Livett is keen to drop that tag and instead focus on one position.
“I think I’ve found a home in the back-row,” he said.
“I’ve played in the halves, but I don’t like playing there. It’s not one of my strongest positions, there’s too much going on for me! It’s a lot of pressure, I don’t mind that, but it can get to you, I like to be told what to do, what lines to run and where to go by my halfback. I think I’ve found my comfortable position.
“The main point is that I want to knuckle down one position and not be a utility player. It can have a down effect, but if I can nail that position and be capable of playing in others, that’s great.”
That leaves a question mark hanging over Livett’s long-term future at Warrington. He is out of contract at the end of the season and with both Jack Hughes and Ben Currie established in the back-row, it remains to be seen whether he can get the game time he craves with his boyhood side.
“It’s a big year for me,” he said.
“When we get playing again we’ll see what comes at the end of it. There’s a contract extension in my deal, which is in their hands, it’s mainly just a waiting game now.
“The plan for now is to play as many games as I can once we can start playing again and I’ll try to get a bit of form in my legs.”
