Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:53 am  

McClennan wrote:

Waste of time signing him if we're going to play him at half back because he isn't a half back.

It's his preferred position and he's been signed to play there. We need him there, not at fullback. Wello is doing just fine at fullback and will be just fine next year too. After that, who knows? Wello will be out of contract and 32. Maybe Hohaia will step in at that point. But in the meantime, he's going to be in our halves next season and hopefully giving the benefit of his experience to our young guns.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:55 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

Because we are short on halves.

I'm sure I just read that he played at halfback only recently, this season, and had a stormer? Fullbacks and halfbacks often play similar roles so if he comes over early enough to get a full off season with us then he should be able to adapt and offer something to us that we don't have at present.

I think the Eclipse is in a far better position than yourself to comment on how often Hohai has played at halfback.

He's a utility player I have always liked, but preferred him as fullback.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:02 am  

Hohaia reminds me so much of Brett Hodgson. Anybody who's seen anything of either NZ or the Warriors will see that Lance acts as another half back. He links into the line from full back.

I have worries over him playing 7 but he'll be a terrific 6 IMO.

People knocking this signing come across as proper ding bats! We rave about the likes of Pryce, Sinfield etc... Who constantly look terrible at international level then we moan when we sign somebody who looks fantastic against the Aussies on a regular basis.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 am  

useful signing in my opinion and I rate him in the halves as well when he has chimed into that position, which he does fairly often after starting at 1.

What he will bring is bags of explosion round the rucks I would not call him fast, but he certainly has fantastic acceleration that can bust the line.

In my opinion in the halves he will offer what Kyle potentially could have in a few years time.

i do not think you will have to shuffle the deck too much to accommodate him with his playing style.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:12 am  

Not a bad signing never seen him play 6 so be intresting

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:14 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

Kyle Eastmond.

Form is up and down. In the NRL they are awash with options and so can drop an out of form player. We don't have that luxury over here really. He could be a dud or he could be a find. We won't know until he's over here. So long as he isn't bloody injured!

The good thing is that Royce is fresh from the NRL and has seen lance a lot over the years.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:35 am  

Not seen him play for a few years now but at 28 he should still have plenty left in the tank and so im not suprised that a player of his standard has been given a 4 year deal - im sure St.Helens would not of been the only club interested in signing him.

Bags of expierience and great utility value, i think he may be able to kick a goal or two as well.

Has the ability to come up with something different when needed.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:39 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

You heard something about Pryce that we haven't?

Eastmond is quite clearly on the move and it's common knowledge in these parts that Bradford have been keen on Pryce and Pryce has held off resigning with Saints.

The only issue really is his injuries. It could be that he may end up having no choices at this rate. If he hold's back from Saints and Bradford get their half back sorted or get scared off by the injuries to Pryce. He may go from a strong position at the end of last year to a position of taking what is left.

You can never say never, but it's looking unlikely now that we are going to resign him, do we need 4 halfbacks?

Lomax looks the real deal, Gaskell has just signed a 2 year deal, Lance a 4 year deal. If we signed Pryce again that would lead to a situation where there are 2 half backs not playing regular rugby. 2 half backs and one for cover seams more than enough, especially with Wilkin offering another option.

It's all guess work but not totally out of the realms of possibility.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:46 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

snip

I would suggest its a canny signing in order to hedge our bets with which youngsters make the grade.

Hohia will probably feature in the halves while Lomax and Gaskell develop. If those two have done enough to suggest they're our long term choices, then he'll move to full back when wello retires - unless Foster or Ashe have managed to stake a better claim for a starting berth.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:00 am  

Potentially a really good signing for us. From what I've seen of him he's more of a 6 or a 1 than a 7 or 9, but his utility value is vital. A 28 year old Kiwi International represents good work from our Chairman and I'm delighted with the news.

Does this spell the end of Pryce though? I'd say Pryce would have to earn a contract based purely on his fitness, but he still has the class no doubts. If he does prove his fitness I'd like him to stay and feel he could form a top partnership with Hohaia. If we did re-sign Pryce what would that mean for Gaskell and Lomax though? I'd say Gaskell is still a couple of years away and maybe a dual reg loan spell away would do him good anyway, but Lomax is becoming a 1st team player now and deserves a spot somewhere. For me, like Hohaia he can play a number of positions well. Would we be willingn to shift Wellens and Give Lomax a chance? Would Lomax play on the bench in the utility role? Would Lomax play somewhere else to accommodate?