NRL: Hohaia is priceless as a super-utility

Warriors' Lance Hohaia can turn a game as he slips seamlessly into another role. Photo / Getty Images

Keeping tabs on Lance Hohaia during a game of footy is quite a job these days.

Typically he'll start at fullback, slip into hooker for a while, put on a few plays at five-eighth and maybe pop out to centre or wing if there's an injury.

It says something about the Warriors' longest-serving player that he'll often perform his switches so smoothly they will go unnoticed.

He just pops up somewhere he wasn't before, doing something he hadn't been doing. It often catches out the opposition with Hohaia producing a telling play that turns a game.

With the Warriors hit by a succession of injuries to key performers - most notably halfback Brett Seymour and hooker Ian Henderson - Hohaia's super-utility ability has been priceless already this season.

"He is crucial, really," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"You almost don't know what position he is in, he just plays the same. He is not fazed by it any more. He just slips seamlessly into the next role, but still plays the same way.

"Regardless of the number on his back, we want him to play to his strengths. I think he is doing that at the moment.

"He is playing like a contented man who knows exactly what he is doing."

Hohaia's contentment also comes from his elevation to senior player status. After enduring long spells when he couldn't hold down a regular place in the side, being one of the team's main men agrees with him.

"I am just rapt to be playing 80 minutes and getting out on the field each week," he said. "I definitely feel a lot more comfortable within the side. Being more of a senior player, I've had more responsibility thrust upon me by the coaching staff and I am enjoying that responsibility."

The regular Kiwis fullback in recent times, Hohaia is also enjoying the chance to play the position at club level - even if he knows his time at the back will be cut short by Wade McKinnon's entry off the bench.

"I prefer fullback or even five-eighth. If I am playing one of those positions regularly and on the field for 80 minutes, then I am not too fussed."

Now in his ninth season at the club, Hohaia has ridden the highs and lows. He's been in the playoffs five times, but finished 14th twice.

This year's start had an encouraging feel about it, he said.

"It is always good to get as many wins as you can in the first half of the season, and we normally seem to come right in the second half of the year. Last year it didn't work out that way, so this year we are trying to start the season really well and get up the ladder early and hopefully push for a top eight spot."

WHAT: Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles
WHERE: Mt Smart Stadium
WHEN: Sunday 4pm
TV: Sky Sport (live), Prime (delayed)