Lance Hohaia - Playing Career

Playing Career

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.

A halfback by preference 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. 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 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.