Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:44 pm  

Absolutely wasted last night, terrible interchange policy from Simmons. After about 25 minutes Catalans fitness had gone, very often there was 4 or 5 players walking back to the ball when they were in attack. Lance should have been put on and told to run at their forwards, he would have had a field day.

The main point for this thread though was to point out his eagerness in attempting to prevent THAT try. He did very well to get to Damian Blanch in the left corner and then somehow managed to get across the pitch to almost tackle Millard as he went in. This shows a great attitude from Lance and for me is a big positive out of last night, he's here to play and will work hard. It's just a shame he only got 8 minutes when we were on the back foot, baffling policy by Simmons. If you have a world cup winning player, use him.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:48 pm  

His signing is starting to stand out as trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Not his fault at all though!

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:50 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

His signing is starting to stand out as trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Not his fault at all though!

I agree, he was signed in panic by the looks of things before Lomax and Gaskell began to show their wares. However, I do think having him on the bench for 72 minutes is nothing short of ridiculous.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:10 pm  

We don't need him and he was a poor signing. He's no way near good enough to play in the halves for us, so utility is the only reason for playing him. He should be the 'back on the bench' every game unless Lomax or Gaskell are out but he should be used as an impact hooker in the same way as Rob Burrow for Leeds. When he's on Roby can go to 13 to give TP a rest.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:14 pm  

I don't understand why so many people are criticising him, he has given 100% whenever he has pulled on the red vee so far, has genuine speed and is elusive. He hasn't made a clean break yet, but they will come, have faith.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:16 pm  

SomersetSaint wrote:

I don't understand why so many people are criticising him, he has given 100% whenever he has pulled on the red vee so far, has genuine speed and is elusive. He hasn't made a clean break yet, but they will come, have faith.

Exactly and this is my point. Give him time and I think he will come good.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:24 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Exactly and this is my point. Give him time and I think he will come good.

He's past it. Look at a youtube video of him from five or six years ago. He's nothing like the player he used to be. He'll be reasonably dangerous near the line as he's small and could trouble a big forward with a step, but he's got no real attributes that we want. No kicking game, no organisational qualities, no ability to put a man through a gap, not particularly quick... He was a panic buy for the halves after our two told the club they were leaving. And it took all of a couple of games for him to be relegated to the bench in favour of two kids in pretty much their second season. That says it all about him unfortunately.

As I said above the only way to get any value from him is to play him from the bench and give him 5 minutes at the end of each half.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:26 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

He's past it. Look at a youtube video of him from five or six years ago. He's nothing like the player he used to be. He'll be reasonably dangerous near the line as he's small and could trouble a big forward with a step, but he's got no real attributes that we want. No kicking game, no organisational qualities, no ability to put a man through a gap, not particularly quick... He was a panic buy for the halves after our two told the club they were leaving. And it took all of a couple of games for him to be relegated to the bench in favour of two kids in pretty much their second season. That says it all about him unfortunately.

As I said above the only way to get any value from him is to play him from the bench and give him 5 minutes at the end of each half.

He's the fastest man in our squad, they all had a race and Lance won. There's still life in him yet, he's still settling in. I agree with the point that he's not as good as he was but he's still a good player.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:27 pm  

Can people really not see why a world cup winner was signed ? He's got great hands, speed, he's elusive but most of all he's got something money can't buy and that's massive game experience. I think it's obvious that Gaskell and Lomax can't lead us and seem lost at times. When things started going against us we were crying out for Hohaia's experience and calm in a big match. Unlike many I can't see Gaskell and Lomax as long term half backs for us and I think it will be Gaskell who moves on at the end of his contract.

Re: Lance Hohaia : Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:28 pm  

Not criticising him in the slightest. I think if used correctly he could be a great signing for us. Either use him as our starting full back, with Wello taking the 17th man spot, if Simmons will persist with it, or use him as 17th man, but have him spend 20 minutes each half on the field at acting half-back. Simples.