Lance Hohaia
Encyclopedia
Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league
player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup
winning New Zealand team.
and St Paul's Collegiate School
. Hohaia played for Waikato in 2001 and was also selected for the Northern Districts side that lost to the touring France national rugby league team
.
and he moved up to Auckland. He made his debut in Round 4 2002 against the North Queensland Cowboys
. A halfback by preference Hohaia has great utility value and was often used by the Warriors at dummy half. However this utility value worked against Lance, as he struggled to claim a regular starting spot in the Warriors lineup and was often in and out of the team. However, in 2008 and 2009 he managed to play in nearly every game spending most of his time at fullback. He is one of the top points scorers in the club, while also being one of the most experienced.
His utility value means that he has now played for the club at halfback, five-eighths, fullback, hooker, centre and lock.
When not selected by the first grade side he has played for the Manurewa Marlins
, Waicoa Bay Stallions
and Auckland Vulcans
in the Bartercard Cup
and NSWRL Premier League
.
In 2007 Hohaia spent most of the season at centre, due to injuries to the outside backs. At the end of the season the Catalans Dragons
were rumored to be interested in signing Hohaia to replace the retiring Stacey Jones
, however Hohaia ultimately stayed with the Warriors.
In 2008, Hohaia took over the fullback role from the injured Wade McKinnon
. Hohaia was promising in McKinnon's absence leaving a dispute whether he should be played at fullback for the 2008 preliminary final.
In 2009, Hohaia was injured in the first game of the Season against the Eels, He made his comeback in round 5 against the Roosters where he played fullback in Wade McKinnon's absence.
In 2010, Hohaia became the first-choice fullback ahead of Wade McKinnon. He played his 150th first grade game for the club.
On 12 April 2011, it was announced that Hohaia had signed a 4 year contact with Super League
club, St Helens from 2012.
In 2007 he was selected for the Kiwis ill-fated tour of Great Britain
. This was the first time in two years that he had been selected for the Kiwis.
In August 2008, Hohaia was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
, and in October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad. He played at fullback in every one of New Zealand's matches, including their victory in the final.
In 2009 Hohaia was named at fullback in the mid season ANZAC Test
against the Kangaroos. He also was selected for the Kiwis 24 man squad for the Four Nations tournament in Europe. He was selected to play fullback against both Tonga and Australia and won the man of the match award in the test vs Australia. In the Four Nations tournament, he appeared at fullback during most of the games and was one of the Kiwis' best players in the tournament. His efforts earnt him a try against Australia and a double against France; one of which was a one hundred metre dash.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
winning New Zealand team.
Early years
Hohaia played his junior football for the Taniwharau Rugby League club and attended Southwell SchoolSouthwell School
Southwell School is an independent co-educational Anglican preparatory school located in Hamilton, New Zealand. Southwell School caters for the academic, cultural, sporting and spiritual needs of 4 to 13 year olds...
and St Paul's Collegiate School
St Paul's Collegiate School
This article relates to an Anglican school. For a Catholic secondary school with a similar name see: St Paul's College in Ponsonby, AucklandSt Paul's Collegiate School is an independent Anglican secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand...
. Hohaia played for Waikato in 2001 and was also selected for the Northern Districts side that lost to the touring France national rugby league team
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
.
Playing career
Lance was signed by the New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
and he moved up to Auckland. He made his debut in Round 4 2002 against the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
. A halfback by preference Hohaia has great utility value and was often used by the Warriors at dummy half. However this utility value worked against Lance, as he struggled to claim a regular starting spot in the Warriors lineup and was often in and out of the team. However, in 2008 and 2009 he managed to play in nearly every game spending most of his time at fullback. He is one of the top points scorers in the club, while also being one of the most experienced.
His utility value means that he has now played for the club at halfback, five-eighths, fullback, hooker, centre and lock.
When not selected by the first grade side he has played for the Manurewa Marlins
Manurewa Marlins
The Manurewa Marlins are a rugby league club based in Manurewa, New Zealand. The Marlins compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. Between 2000 and 2003 they competed in the national Bartercard Cup competition.-Notable players:...
, Waicoa Bay Stallions
Waicoa Bay Stallions
The Waicoa Bay Stallions are a rugby league team that represent the Upper Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This is a vast area that includes Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupo...
and Auckland Vulcans
Auckland Vulcans
The Auckland Vulcans are an Auckland based rugby league club that participates in the New South Wales Cup. They are administered by the Rugby League Development Foundation. The team is selected from the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Competition and also uses Warriors squad members not...
in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
and NSWRL Premier League
NSWRL Premier League
The New South Wales Cup is a rugby league competition for clubs in New South Wales previously known as the NSWRL Premier League. It has a history dating back to the NSWRFL's origins in 1908, starting off as a reserve grade competition. It is now the premier open age competition in the state...
.
In 2007 Hohaia spent most of the season at centre, due to injuries to the outside backs. At the end of the season the Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
were rumored to be interested in signing Hohaia to replace the retiring Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
, however Hohaia ultimately stayed with the Warriors.
In 2008, Hohaia took over the fullback role from the injured Wade McKinnon
Wade McKinnon
Wade McKinnon is an Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. His position of preference is at fullback.-Early years:...
. Hohaia was promising in McKinnon's absence leaving a dispute whether he should be played at fullback for the 2008 preliminary final.
In 2009, Hohaia was injured in the first game of the Season against the Eels, He made his comeback in round 5 against the Roosters where he played fullback in Wade McKinnon's absence.
In 2010, Hohaia became the first-choice fullback ahead of Wade McKinnon. He played his 150th first grade game for the club.
On 12 April 2011, it was announced that Hohaia had signed a 4 year contact with Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club, St Helens from 2012.
International career
Hohaia made his international debut for the Kiwis in 2002.In 2007 he was selected for the Kiwis ill-fated tour of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. This was the first time in two years that he had been selected for the Kiwis.
In August 2008, Hohaia was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
, and in October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad. He played at fullback in every one of New Zealand's matches, including their victory in the final.
In 2009 Hohaia was named at fullback in the mid season ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
against the Kangaroos. He also was selected for the Kiwis 24 man squad for the Four Nations tournament in Europe. He was selected to play fullback against both Tonga and Australia and won the man of the match award in the test vs Australia. In the Four Nations tournament, he appeared at fullback during most of the games and was one of the Kiwis' best players in the tournament. His efforts earnt him a try against Australia and a double against France; one of which was a one hundred metre dash.