Rugby: Hohneck is happy to be home

Zak Hohneck (with ball), Bay of Plenty Steamers player, is enjoying his return to the Bay this year. Photo / George Novak

When Zak Hohneck left his hometown of Rotorua to play for the Waikato ITM Cup team in 2010, many people would have wondered if he would ever return to play for the Steamers.

After five seasons playing for the Mooloos, Hohneck decided to come home to the Bay this year to play under new Steamers coach Clayton McMillan.

"It has taken me five years to come home," he said.

"I saw an opportunity and had a few talks with Clayton, and he offered me a good opportunity back at home, and I was very happy to come back and be coached under Clayton.

"I've been coached under him before and I like his style of coaching. So it was very enticing to come back. He's good and honest, and he's all about hard work, and I think he has good values as a coach."

Hohneck, 25, debuted for the Steamers in 2009 as a 19-year-old but a logjam of good flankers meant he could not make the side in 2010, resulting in his heading to Waikato. Hohneck has been good for the Steamers since returning this year, starting the last three matches at openside flanker.

He will likely feature in this weekend's Ranfurly Shield clash against Hawke's Bay in Napier, which is a shot at history for the Steamers, who last won the shield in 2004.

While the Steamers will go into their Ranfurly Shield match as big underdogs, Hohneck said there was a great culture in the team and they were doing their best to make winning a habit.

"There is a great bunch of boys, but I think winning probably isn't a habit yet and I think once we get that we will be really dominant. And obviously, Clayton is trying to build that culture and once that clicks we will be away."

Hohneck played for local club side Rotoiti this year, leading the Rotorua team to fifth place in the Baywide premier competition.

He said he always enjoyed playing in his hometown of Rotorua and it was special running out in front of his family last weekend against Taranaki at the Rotorua International Stadium.

"I love playing at home, there is no place like it, to play in front of your home crowd and your family, it is a huge privilege.

"We have the best ground in the country here in Rotorua so I love coming over and playing on it."