Rugby League: It's all been a big learning curve for Hohaia

By CHRIS BARCLAY

PERPIGNAN - Lance Hohaia will probably leave Hotel Europa Jamaica today without mastering the art of requesting fresh towels.

There is no doubting the Kiwis tour of Great Britain and France has continued a multi-layered education for the wide-eyed teenager, but some things come easier than others, and the French language is not proving simple for Hohaia.

"It's been pretty frustrating communicating here. Just asking for towels - no one understands what you're saying. When you're in a taxi and want to go somewhere it's difficult to explain things."

Hohaia can hardly believe that a year ago he had just finished bursary exams at St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton - where French was not among his specialist subjects.

The 19-year-old played against France during their tour in the middle of last year for a Northern Districts selection in his home town of Huntly.

So it is a measure of his meteoric rise that he came up against a couple of familiar Gaelic faces yesterday when he earned his sixth Kiwis cap at Stade Aime Giral, and kicked six from six in the 36-10 win.

Hohaia was not sure how much game time he would see when he was selected by coach Gary Freeman for the eight-match tour. It turns out he played seven, and all but one in the position where Robbie Paul was expected to feature.

A finalist in the NRL rookie of the year award, Hohaia held on to five-eighth from the England A match onwards, as Paul was employed first at centre, then fullback and finally hooker.

"I didn't really know what Wiz [Freeman] had in store for me. I was just coming over here for experience and hopefully get a few games if I could," said Hohaia, as he reflected on an incredible season.

"I've come from school and to be here 12 months later is a dream come true, really. Hopefully, I can impress everyone enough to stay here a long time."

Freeman, for one, is convinced Hohaia will be on the international stage for many seasons.

"Lance has matured. Over here you don't get things always going your way, so it makes you mentally tougher.

"Next year in the [NRL] comp he'll realise how much easier it is. He's going to be one of the great players."

Motu Tony's broken hand and the requirement for Paul to cover from injuries in the backline smoothed the passage for Hohaia, although his form was solid enough to be picked on merit.

"When you look at our squad we haven't got a lot of halves. Lance has been thrust into the limelight and he's done a great job," Freeman said.

Hohaia turns 20 in April and has already made an impressive start to his big OE, dovetailing playing with the experience of different lifestyles.

Language barriers aside, southern Europe has been a fascinating stopover.

On Wednesday, Hohaia and a couple of team-mates crossed the border into Spain and explored Barcelona.

"It was an awesome place to have a look at. It's been great to look at other countries. Just to see the sights is magnificent."

Although the photo album will be full of tourist snaps, and he has traded his Kiwis shirts for an array of jerseys, Hohaia is still looking forward to returning to mum and dad's Waikato cattle farm.

"It's been a long, arduous tour and I can't wait to get home."

He starts pre-season training with the New Zealand Warriors on January 12 and plans to spend some time on the beach at Mt Maunganui with his mates and partner Lucy.

- NZPA