NRL: Hohaia's recall set to go full circle

Lance Hohaia can be expected to start at fullback after an injury to teammate Glen Fisiiahi. Photo / Getty Images

Lance Hohaia's recall to the NRL is set to go full circle against Manly next weekend as the New Zealand Warriors look to kick on from back-to-back wins.

The Warriors' most experienced player, Hohaia was missing from the victory over Cronulla in Taupo as coach Ivan Cleary rung the changes in the wake of a three-loss start to the season.

The utility was then reinstated to the squad to play the Sydney Roosters, but began the 24-12 win in Auckland last night not in his now customary No 1 jersey but on the bench as back-up dummy half.

However, the loss of exciting youngster Glen Fisiiahi to injury just before halftime saw Hohaia move back to fullback, and he can be expected to start in the same role against the Sea Eagles in Sydney next Saturday night.

Fisiiahi, a two-try hero against the Sharks in only his second NRL appearance, went off after his left leg was bent back when tackled by back rower Daniel Conn and winger Justin Carney.

While the way his leg was caught looked ugly, the early diagnosis was a high ankle sprain and a probable two to four weeks on the sidelines, although more will be known after scans tomorrow.

In match in which the Warriors stepped up their intensity and put in some committed defensive work, Hohaia showed he had regained the some of the spark missing from his game earlier in the season as he scored one of his side's four tries.

With the Warriors leading last year's grand finalists 10-6 early in the second half, he produced some nifty footwork to dot down for a converted try that gave his team some breathing space.

Hohaia, 28, is into his 10th season with his only NRL club and he admitted he was "pretty disappointed" at being dropped against Cronulla.

At the same time, he conceded it was the kick up the backside he deserved.

"I'm just happy with my performance," he said of his display against the Roosters.

"Hopefully I can keep building on the back of that."

Hohaia, who has played in a range of backline positions as well as at hooker during his 167 NRL appearances, said he was happy to operate wherever it was best for the team.

"I thought 'Fish' played outstanding last week so it was probably best that I was on the bench this week," he said.

"Unfortunately he copped an injury there but I'm sure he will bounce back and we are all competing for spots again."

Cleary pointed to the Warriors' defence as the key to getting past the Roosters.

"Our defence won us the game, I thought," he said.

"It was certainly a focus during the week against a side that's obviously one of the best attacking teams in the comp."

Meanwhile, Cleary played down an incident that opposition coach Brian Smith described as "very unappreciated" and "very unprofessional" -- the three-minute delay to kickoff because of the Warriors' tardiness in getting on the pitch.

Cleary said the reason was simply a change in procedure for his team last night.

The adjacent field where his players usually warmed up was closed for work and there were advertising signs blocking the tunnel from where they usually ran out.

Sydney skipper Braith Anasta agreed with his coach that the delay was "bizarre", but added that it was not a factor in the Roosters' performance.

"I actually walked to an official to say what the hell is going on," he said.

"I've never see it ever and I've been playing for a long time now."

- NZPA