Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 2:54 pm  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/32321061

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/32321061

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 3:44 pm  

I can't see to many sides offering him first grade, but sure he'd get in somewhere at some level.

I've got quite an affection for Lance, it hasn't really worked out like it might, but I firmly believe he was a McManus panic buy and was harshly treated. He was clearly promised a role in the halves by the big man and then denied it by the coaching staff.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:00 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I can't see to many sides offering him first grade, but sure he'd get in somewhere at some level.

I've got quite an affection for Lance, it hasn't really worked out like it might, but I firmly believe he was a McManus panic buy and was harshly treated. He was clearly promised a role in the halves by the big man and then denied it by the coaching staff.

Royce Simmons was promising him a role in the halfs, and played him there too before he got sacked.

Nathan Brown obviously never rated him or wanted him, it would have been best for all concerned to end it all 3 years ago, when Brown took over.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:27 pm  

Lance peaked years ago, but I wouldn't have said it's been a poor spell. He's had to play in several positions and at times lead the team around the pitch during the many injury plagues that have hit the club.

He's got a touch of class about him and he looked really good when he played alongside Walsh last season.

Hopefully he'll head home with 2 Super League titles to his name.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:35 pm  

Could be a positive for both player and club, to get a gig in the NRL he needs to put in some good performances in the shop window.
I have a bit of sympathy for Lance being not used correctly at times by Simmons and Brown, he,s had to tough it out when being criticised yet he,s come up with some good performances when it was needed.
Lets hope he can get to some form in the No 1 spot and help us to more silverware.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 6:22 pm  

He has had his moments, and towards the end of last season he began to look like a real half back (possibly because we'd forgotten what a real one looked like). But overall it's been a poor signing. Like Laffranchi, he was signed in haste, no doubt on big money, to do a job that he just wasn't equipped to do. I did think that with Walsh and Burns around he would get an extended run as our interchange 9, where I'm convinced he could be good for us, but the situation at full back is making that look unlikely now. I've never had any doubt about his effort, though.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 6:30 pm  

Dux wrote:

He has had his moments, and towards the end of last season he began to look like a real half back (possibly because we'd forgotten what a real one looked like). But overall it's been a poor signing. Like Laffranchi, he was signed in haste, no doubt on big money, to do a job that he just wasn't equipped to do. I did think that with Walsh and Burns around he would get an extended run as our interchange 9, where I'm convinced he could be good for us, but the situation at full back is making that look unlikely now. I've never had any doubt about his effort, though.

I agree with that, he doesn't lack effort.

I don't think it's worked out with him (as I said it wouldn't from the day he signed). He was brought in to play in the halves with a handful of games under his belt in about 10 years of rugby. The halves is a position that requires a rugby brain and I don't tbink lance has one.

He's always the scapegoat when things don't work out. I've felt sorry for him at times.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 6:40 pm  

He won us the grand final. He will always be in my heart

Regards

King james

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:05 pm  

When I saw the thread title my first reaction was completely unbothered, which is probably unfair. He's just not someone I've ever been able to get that excited about. Maybe he's been misused but I can't believe he's gonna give us anything more next season than one of the academy lads will do.

Re: Lance Hohaia: St Helens half-back hints at NRL return : Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:16 pm  

St pete wrote:

I agree with that, he doesn't lack effort.

I don't think it's worked out with him (as I said it wouldn't from the day he signed). He was brought in to play in the halves with a handful of games under his belt in about 10 years of rugby. The halves is a position that requires a rugby brain and I don't tbink lance has one.

He's always the scapegoat when things don't work out. I've felt sorry for him at times.

Sticking lipstick on a pig doesnt make it a supermodel and sticking the number 6 shirt on lance's back didnt make him a halfback .. sadly. As you say though can't really be faulted for effort