Rugby League: Hohaia given a kick start

By CHRIS BARCLAY

The Kiwis' "reluctant" goalkicker Richard Swain is handing the tee and responsibility to rookie five-eighth Lance Hohaia after missing two crucial conversions that might have wrapped up the test series with Great Britain in Huddersfield last weekend.

Swain's double miss was a contributing factor in the Kiwis having to settle for a 14-14 draw, so the workaholic hooker does not want to risk a repeat performance when the series climaxes at Wigan's JJB Stadium on Sunday morning.

"I going to hand it over to Lance but hopefully it won't come down to goal-kicking this week," he said.

The Brisbane Broncos-bound dummy half has been the first-choice kicker on tour, but 19-year-old Hohaia has a superior success rate.

The teenager kicked in the tour opener against Hull and the third match against England A when Swain was rested.

He slotted 10 from 12 attempts and also kicked one from one, albeit from in front against Wales when Swain was in the sinbin.

Swain, who described himself as a "reluctant goalkicker", filled in at the Melbourne Storm when Matt Orford was injured this season but made way when the halfback returned halfway through the competition.

His kicking career resumed in the one-off test with Australia in Wellington on October 12, and Swain was chosen to continue the role by coach Gary Freeman.

He was successful with three from six attempts in the first test at Blackburn, but his 50 per cent success rate was not a factor as the Kiwis scored six tries to two in winning 30-16.

However, in a tighter clash at Huddersfield, Swain was astray with two relatively handy conversions at McAlpine Stadium last Sunday. Failing to convert Ruben Wiki's second-half try was telling, as it would have given the Kiwis a four-point buffer.

Overall he kicked four from nine in the two tests.

Swain, who had been tutored by former Kiwis goalkicking machine Daryl Halligan at the Storm, has not practised at the test venues but said unfamiliarity with the English grounds was not an excuse.

"When you go away in the NRL competition you never train on those fields. A football field's a football field in my opinion."

Great Britain captain Andy Farrell has been in sublime touch with the boot, missing just one of eight shots so far.

He tied up the second test with a 35m penalty goal with four minutes to play and apart from being well-versed in the test venues has also been able to practise on them.

Both sides appear evenly matched, so goalkicking looms as a key factor.

Farrell, who kicks for Wigan, said he felt no added pressure as he lined up the shot that gave the Lions a chance to spike a nine-match, nine-year losing streak to the Kiwis.

"I think the first kick was more important because we were 10-0 down," he said.

"You are always in with a shout if you can convert your tries, and this team is very capable of scoring tries."

Meanwhile, the Kiwis return to training today with interest focusing on whether Robbie Paul is able to test his gashed leg.

Great Britain's big doubt is Sydney Roosters second rower Adrian Morley, who missed last weekend with a flu-related virus. He has been confined to swimming at the team hotel.

"He's not making the progress we would have liked, and he is still having tests," assistant coach Graham Steadman said.

"Maybe it's down to the English weather."

Great Britain coach David Waite is expected to name an 18-man squad today. Freeman may also name his side then.

- NZPA