JASON Hill admitted he was in need of a history lesson on Australian rugby after collecting the John Hipwell Medal for the player of the match in Hamilton's 36-7 grand-final victory over Wanderers. Then again, the affable Scotsman reckons he could get used to life Down Under. The 29-year-old returns to his homeland next week to take up a contract with Heriots in the inaugural Super Six semi-professional competition. But if the barnstorming No.8 has a say, he will be back at Passmore Oval in 2020. "I would love to come back out," Hill said. "It all depends on what happens in Scotland. Aussie life is pretty good." No doubts, Hill would be welcomed with open arms. The shaven-head juggernaut was a revelation in his three months at the Hawks, capped by an all-action effort in the decider. He was a go-to man at the back of the lineout, constantly punched holes in the Wanderers defensive line, was strong in defence and did a power of work at the tackle contest. "I knew I was coming out to a good team," Hill said. "To finish the job - I knew it meant a lot to the boys and wanted to be a part of it. "My job is to take the ball forward. It's what I'm good at. I had an early knock-on, but luckily I didn't lose focus. Bubba (coach Scott Coleman) just said do what you do. Go forward and the boys will go with you. It wasn't just me. It was all 15 and the bench. We just kept going and going." Hill, who spent two years at Pro-14 club Glasgow (2015-16) and also played professionally at English clubs Bedford and Doncaster, has won premierships and awards before but said his latest was extra special. READ MORE: FIVE PREMIERSHIPS HAS NICE RING TO IT "I have been player of the year at my club which is good to get the vote from your peers," he said. "To get something in a final -to play at your peak in the games that matter the most - that means something. I'm sure I will get a history lesson and learn more about him (John Hipwell). It is good to win and be presented in front of all the boys." In truth, the Hipwell Medal, instituted in honour of the late Wallaby and Newcastle halfback, could have gone to any of the Hawks forwards. Chris Ale was at his blockbusting best, especially in the second half, Joe Akkerdyk and Steve Lamont got through a power of work, Chris Nagy pulled off a couple of big shots, including one on danger man Nimi Qio, Peter Maxwell and Geraint Weaver carried the ball with purpose and Tiueti Asi was like a dog on a bone at the ball. As a unit, they competed hard at the breakdown, stung in defence and once in Wanderers' red zone they were relentless - recycling possession and chipping away until a hole appeared. "We knew if we got into that area, we just had to be patient and grind it out," Hill said. "It may not be pretty but you don't have to be pretty to win. We had a couple of fumbles near the tryline but we knew our jobs and just went again and again. "Credit to Wanderers, they fought hard but we came here to do a job." READ MORE: SCOTSMAN GETS MORE THAN HE ANTICIPATED AT HAWKS
FOLLOW ME: Hamilton's Scottish import Jason Hill with Jack McKinley after the No.8 collected the John Hipwell Medal for player of the grand final. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
JASON Hill admitted he was in need of a history lesson on Australian rugby after collecting the John Hipwell Medal for the player of the match in Hamilton's 36-7 grand-final victory over Wanderers.
Then again, the affable Scotsman reckons he could get used to life Down Under.
The 29-year-old returns to his homeland next week to take up a contract with Heriots in the inaugural Super Six semi-professional competition.
But if the barnstorming No.8 has a say, he will be back at Passmore Oval in 2020.
"I would love to come back out," Hill said. "It all depends on what happens in Scotland. Aussie life is pretty good."
No doubts, Hill would be welcomed with open arms.
The shaven-head juggernaut was a revelation in his three months at the Hawks, capped by an all-action effort in the decider.
He was a go-to man at the back of the lineout, constantly punched holes in the Wanderers defensive line, was strong in defence and did a power of work at the tackle contest.
GREAT SCOT: Hamilton No.8 Jason Hill receives the John Hipwell Medal from Hawthorne Club chairman Mark Queenan. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
"I knew I was coming out to a good team," Hill said. "To finish the job - I knew it meant a lot to the boys and wanted to be a part of it.
"My job is to take the ball forward. It's what I'm good at. I had an early knock-on, but luckily I didn't lose focus. Bubba (coach Scott Coleman) just said do what you do. Go forward and the boys will go with you. It wasn't just me. It was all 15 and the bench. We just kept going and going."
Hill, who spent two years at Pro-14 club Glasgow (2015-16) and also played professionally at English clubs Bedford and Doncaster, has won premierships and awards before but said his latest was extra special.
"I have been player of the year at my club which is good to get the vote from your peers," he said. "To get something in a final -to play at your peak in the games that matter the most - that means something. I'm sure I will get a history lesson and learn more about him (John Hipwell). It is good to win and be presented in front of all the boys."
In truth, the Hipwell Medal, instituted in honour of the late Wallaby and Newcastle halfback, could have gone to any of the Hawks forwards.
Chris Ale was at his blockbusting best, especially in the second half, Joe Akkerdyk and Steve Lamont got through a power of work, Chris Nagy pulled off a couple of big shots, including one on danger man Nimi Qio, Peter Maxwell and Geraint Weaver carried the ball with purpose and Tiueti Asi was like a dog on a bone at the ball.
As a unit, they competed hard at the breakdown, stung in defence and once in Wanderers' red zone they were relentless - recycling possession and chipping away until a hole appeared.
"We knew if we got into that area, we just had to be patient and grind it out," Hill said. "It may not be pretty but you don't have to be pretty to win. We had a couple of fumbles near the tryline but we knew our jobs and just went again and again.
"Credit to Wanderers, they fought hard but we came here to do a job."
