26 Facts About Lance Hohaia

In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.

Lance Hohaia was born in Hamilton on New Zealand's North Island, but grew up in the town of Huntly, where he started to play for Huntly South Rugby League Club at the age of six, in 1989.

Lance Hohaia attended Huntly Primary, and Southwell School and St Paul's Collegiate School, both in Hamilton.

Rugby union was the winter sport at Southwell, and at St Paul's, Lance Hohaia played union for the school on Saturdays and league for Taniwharau on Sundays.

Lance Hohaia played his first senior game for Taniwharau in 2001, aged 17.

Lance Hohaia represented Waikato in 2001 and was selected for the Northern Districts side that lost to the touring French side.

Lance Hohaia was signed by the New Zealand Warriors and he moved up to Auckland.

Lance Hohaia made his debut in Round 4 2002 against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Lance Hohaia played for the Warriors from the interchange bench in their 2002 NRL Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Lance Hohaia made his international debut for the Kiwis in 2002.

Lance Hohaia had great utility value and was often used by the Warriors at dummy half.

In 2007 Lance Hohaia spent most of the season at centre, due to injuries to the outside backs.

In 2008, Lance Hohaia took over the fullback role from the injured Wade McKinnon.

Lance Hohaia was promising in McKinnon's absence leaving a dispute whether he should be played at fullback for the 2008 preliminary final.

Lance Hohaia played at fullback in every one of New Zealand's matches, including their victory in the final.

In 2009, Lance 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.

Lance Hohaia was named at fullback in the mid season ANZAC Test against the Kangaroos.

Lance Hohaia was selected for the Kiwis 24 man squad for the Four Nations tournament in Europe.

Lance Hohaia was selected to play fullback against both Tonga and Australia and won the man of the match award in the test vs Australia.

Lance Hohaia's efforts earned him a try against Australia and a double against France; one of which was a one hundred metre dash.

In 2010, Lance Hohaia became the first-choice fullback ahead of Wade McKinnon.

Lance Hohaia played his 150th first grade game for the club.

On 12 April 2011, it was announced that Lance Hohaia had signed a 4-year contract with Super League club, St Helens from 2012.

On Saturday 24 January 2015 as part of the Taniwharau RLFC 70 year anniversary celebrations, Lance Hohaia was named five-eight and the Player of the 1st 70 Years from a club team full with local legends and ex-Kiwis.

Whilst playing for English club St Helens, Lance Hohaia was selected to play for the Exiles against England in the first game of the 2012 International Origin series.

St Helens reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final and Lance Hohaia was selected to play at stand-off.