St Helens’ New Zealand utility back Lance Hohaia is retiring from rugby league with immediate effect, his Super League club announced on Wednesday.
“St Helens announce that Lance Hohaia has informed us of his retirement from rugby league and will therefore not play for the club again,” St Helens said on their website.
“Lance has been a valued and integral member of the squad for the last three and a half years and we thank him for his service.
“We wish him and his family well in their life after rugby league with St Helens. St Helens will make no further comment on this matter.”
Hohaia, 32, was knocked out by a pair of punches from Wigan’s Ben Flower during last October’s Grand Final — the second delivered when he was flat on his back — for which the Welshman received a record six-month ban.
He made 29 appearances for New Zealand and played at full-back in their 2008 World Cup final win over Australia.
Hohaia played 185 times for New Zealand Warriors between 2002 and 2011, when he joined St Helens on a four-year contract.
He made 78 appearances for Saints and played a vital role in their run to the 2014 Grand Final, only to have his participation in the game at Old Trafford ended by Flower’s fists after barely two minutes.
His final St Helens appearance was in their 11-8 Super League win at Huddersfield on Easter Monday.