NRL: Back to the future for five-eighth Hohaia

Lance Hohaia made his debut at five-eighth against the Cowboys in 2002. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Utility Lance Hohaia will be back where it all started for him in the National Rugby League (NRL) when he runs out as five-eighth for the New Zealand Warriors on Friday.

Hohaia will wear the No 6 jersey against Newcastle in Auckland, taking over from the concussed Joel Moon.

It's a position he hasn't played for a while - not since his late call-up for the Kiwis to replace the injured Ben Roberts in the Anzac test 13 months ago.

The last time he operated as five-eighth for the Warriors was "probably 2004".

In more recent times at club level, he has rotated between fullback and hooker, and also slotted in at centre.

However, it was at five-eighth that Hohaia made his NRL debut as an 18-year-old in April 2002, scoring a try in a 50-20 win over North Queensland in Townsville.

With most of his appearances this season having come off the bench, he was looking forward to the prospect of getting a full 80 minutes against the Knights.

"I haven't started a game for while and haven't played five-eighth for a long time too," he said.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I can have some sort of impact on the team."

Hohaia, 26, didn't expect to have any major problems in readjusting to the role.

He said his approach was the same whichever job coach Ivan Cleary asked him to do.

"The only difference really is my position in the defensive line," he said.

"I probably have to organise and communicate more with my outsides than what I've done at hooker and probably fullback."

Hohaia was looking forward in particular to being part of what will be halfback Stacey Jones' club record-extending 250th NRL match.

"He's been an icon for rugby league over the years and he's definitely an important part of this club and he always will be," he said.

"I'm excited I get to play in such a memorable game for him. Hopefully we can all perform well and make it a special day."

Jones, 33, was there on Hohaia's debut and the pair are the only survivors of the Warriors' run to their only grand final later that season.

"We've played a lot of football together over the years and I think we know each other's game pretty well," Hohaia said. "I don't think we'll have any trouble communicating and understanding each other on the field."

After just two wins in their past 10 matches, the Warriors are precariously placed in 12th spot on the ladder and with time starting to run out on their playoff aspirations.

Their last outing, which resulted in an 18-10 defeat to Cronulla on Sunday, featured yet another slow start, with the Sharks racing out to a 18-0 lead after half an hour.

Hohaia said the Warriors knew their performance in the opening spell at Toyota Park was "pretty dreadful".

"We seem to let teams score early points on us too easily," he said.

"In the second half, we find our spirit and come fighting back, but by then it's too hard and too late.

"We have a job to do of getting ourselves ready for the start of the game. I think once that happens, we'll be fine."

- NZPA