Quick Facts
Biography
Lance Koro Hohaia (born 1 April 1983) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league player. A New Zealand national representative utility back, he played in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors and the Super League for St Helens RLFC, with whom he won the 2014 Super League championship. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.
Early years
Hohaia played his junior football for the Taniwharau Rugby League club and attended Southwell School 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 French side.
Playing career
National Rugby League
Lance was signed by the New Zealand Warriors and he moved up to Auckland. He made his debut in Round 4 2002 against the North Queensland Cowboys. Hohaia played for the Warriors from the interchange bench in their 2002 NRL Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters. Hohaia also made his international debut for the Kiwis in 2002.
Hohaia had 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. 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. However, in 2007 he was again selected for the Kiwis, this time for their tour of Great Britain. 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. In August 2008, Hohaia was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Hohaia was promising in McKinnon's absence leaving a dispute whether he should be played at fullback for the 2008 preliminary final. 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 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. 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.
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 contract with Super League club, St Helens from 2012. For the 2010 Anzac Test, Hohaia was selected to play for New Zealand at fullback in their loss against Australia.
Super League
Whilst playing for English club St. Helens, Hohaia was selected to play for the Exiles against England in the first game of the 2012 International Origin series as the hooker by coach Daniel Anderson.
St. Helens reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final and Hohaia was selected to play at stand-off. He was punched unconscious by Ben Flower in the first few minutes of the match and had to leave the field for the remainder of the 14-6 victory over Wigan Warriors.
He retired from rugby on 29 April 2015 because of recurrent concussion symptoms.
Legacy
In 2015, he was named as Taniwharau's best player of their first 70 years.