Player Lance Hohaia

[JonB_old]

He looked really good at hooker last year, and not that good this year I wonder why.

W4L he didn't lose us the game but he made it harder for us to win and we didn't.

 

[Kaiaua krusher_old]

JonB, probably the game plan set around a rookie halfback this year. Last year he had Stacey and a game plan involving Webby, that allowed hin the freedom to make his impact on the game.

This year the opposition know what Hohaia is likely to do and have moved to cut down his influence out of dummy half. It appears to me that Cleary is trying to add another dimension to his role, I for one applaud that. The other thing is that Hohaia was thrown into the role on the back of an outstanding halfback game against Cronulla, he showed his class by taking on the hooking role, with little coaching, and making a fairly good fist of it for the rest of the year. Takes some adjusting to go from 7 or 6 to 9 and expect to be world class overnight. He has time and the football nouse to make it as hooker.

Having said thatI still think that he is an out and out halfback, but I ain't the Coach and the Coach knows that Hohaia needs a bit of time to come to grips with the role.

 

[danco_old]

if you have played the game you know that if you make mistakes you get dropped and it doesnt matter what code or game you play its adios amigo.

 

[MarkW_old]

he didn't lose us the game but he made it harder for us to win and we didn't.

I thought Hiho played ok, nothing outstanding but no worse than some of his team mates that made crucial errors during the match.

It must be a frustrating position to be in for Hohaia though - he dosn't look like he's going to get a shot at halfback any time soon, and the hooker role is also not a certainty in Cleary's master-plan. It appears that he won't be considered for standoff anymore either. So he must be wondering 'where exactly do I fit in at this club?'.

 

[Kaiaua krusher_old]

True Danco, I know ,I have played the game coached the game and been involved in its administration as well, my post has nothing to do with whether or not he should be dropped - I am responding to JB's query as to why Hohaia isn't as effective this year as he was last, just an opinion and observation.

 

[D Generation X_old]

So Hohaia is being made a scapegoat for the second half then?

It did mess up though, if you make mistakes that cost a team big time which I think it did in the last game then you are not a scapegoat, you are a reason.

Yes, but in saying that you can't say we lost because of Hohaia, the team as a whole didn't step up in that second half. Hell we didn't even score a try for the last 66 minutes of the game.

yea thats true you can't

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

he didn't lose us the game but he made it harder for us to win and we didn't.

I thought Hiho played ok, nothing outstanding but no worse than some of his team mates that made crucial errors during the match.

It must be a frustrating position to be in for Hohaia though - he dosn't look like he's going to get a shot at halfback any time soon, and the hooker role is also not a certainty in Cleary's master-plan. It appears that he won't be considered for standoff anymore either. So he must be wondering 'where exactly do I fit in at this club?'.

Yeah, and sometimes under those circumstances you don't always play at your best. However previous before the Bulldsogs game he was going quite nicely.

 

[sebastian_old]

One thing i'd bet my house on is that Hohaia will not be here in 2008, he will probably offered a token contract, maybe even what hes already on & England or even an NRL club will snap him up to play 7. Is there any valid reason besides money why he'd want to stay?? I can only think not wanting to move countrys but for the right price i'm sure he would.

 

[Jesbass_old]

One thing i'd bet my house on is that Hohaia will not be here in 2008, he will probably offered a token contract, maybe even what hes already on & England or even an NRL club will snap him up to play 7. Is there any valid reason besides money why he'd want to stay?? I can only think not wanting to move countrys but for the right price i'm sure he would.

Bloody oath! I'll take you up on that bet, seb! If Hohaia is gone, you keep your house, but if he stays, I'll take it! :lol:

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

One thing i'd bet my house on is that Hohaia will not be here in 2008, he will probably offered a token contract, maybe even what hes already on & England or even an NRL club will snap him up to play 7. Is there any valid reason besides money why he'd want to stay?? I can only think not wanting to move countrys but for the right price i'm sure he would.

Bloody oath! I'll take you up on that bet, seb! If Hohaia is gone, you keep your house, but if he stays, I'll take it! :lol:

*Skinny_Ravs82 comes along and thwacks Jesbass on the head* You gulliable man!

 

[casso_old]

Now this may seem completely crazy

and although I haven't seen HiHO play much in the last couple of years but I think with his style of play and attributes and a little bit more time,I think fullback would be Lance's best position.If I were the coach and with Webby departing I would givew him a run there to see how he goes.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Hohaia for fullbacks? Erm..no I don't think so. As alot of us have said we firmly believe he is either a halfback or a hooker. Maybe/maybe not a 5/8. I just don't think it would suit him putting him into another new role and expecting him to learn thick and fast.

 

[D Generation X_old]

i didnt know Sione Faumuina was starting off bench and louis anderson playing on lock

 

[commonsense_old]

its not fair that hohaia was the scapegoat but at least ivan cleary gave us a reason for dropping him unlike last time.

 

[fiamacho_old]

Good on Cleary for letting everyone know why Lance was replaced it sure takes the speculation out of things.

Good call if you ask me.

 

[commonsense_old]

(by the way if you are a hohaia hater dont bother replying to this thread)

everyone knows lance hohaia is a talented cat. he has the skills, technique and athleticsm to be a great player. awesome kicking game, vision and footwork. he is very versatile covering a number of positions since being at the warriors. halfback, standoff, hooker, backup hooker and centre. but where do u slot him in 07???

HALFBACK?
this is his preference but he has stated he will play anywhere for the team. grant rovelli seems to be a revelation in that position. cant see ivan cleary making a switch unless grant gets injured.

STANDOFF?
with michael witt and jerome ropati battling for the spot, there doesnt seem room for lancey here either.

HOOKER?
the warriors usually play 2 hookers in the 17. last season nathan fien and georgie gatis played those roles.

CENTRE?
he only played there because of injuries. i doubt he will be considered next season. we have too many talented centres at the moment.


he has played well in all positions. but it would seem his best position for this team would be at hooker. he has the best chance breaking through there. gatis is a top player but hohaia has youth on his side.

wat u guys think?

 

[blain91_old]

yeah i agree, he is a great all round player, and i think he should take gatis role as bench hooker. he has alot of time to develop in the role, plus he has a great kicking game. when is he contracted to? if its the end of 07, i reckon that he will go.

 

[patty_old]

he WILL be on the bench next year

 

[Warrioraholic_old]

I hope he signs with ESL or a aussie club for 07, I cant say emough about the guy for his loyalty to the warriors considering the treatment he has had. I reakon hes got the skills to be in the top 3 halfbacks in the NRL, would love to see him slot in at the broncos or dogs, even the tigers.

Warriors will use him off the bench for hooker and stand-off if jerome is injured or covering centre yawn.......

Everyone will be hard on Lance expecting a stellar performance everytime after seeing very little game time and probably playing out of position.

Leave while your still young bruva!!!

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

It's an interesting comment you've broought out commensence and it's definitely food for thought. I'd like to see Hohaia in the side myself because I have quite high regard for him; wihtout a doubt. But it's just a matter of finding where he can/will suit best if not in his prefered spot. At the moment it seems wherever you do put him he can pretty much do well in...so who knows really.