Former New Zealand rugby league international Lance Hohaia has switched codes, hoping to grow the game of rugby union in the United States.
Nicknamed the “Huntly Hurricane,” the 38-year-old is best known for his 185 first grade games for the Warriors in the NRL.
Hohaia is now the head coach of the men’s varsity rugby program at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“I’ve been coaching rugby here in the US for some time, this is my fourth year,” Hohaia told SENZ Breakfast.
“I married an American woman, and ended up in Michigan. It’s a nice little city, a great place to raise our family. So this is home for the foreseeable future.
“I tried real estate for a while and was a personal trainer, coaching part-time.
"A local Michigan university came knocking on my door to grow rugby in their uni sports program, so that’s where I’ve landed.”
Hohaia has also signed up as senior coach of the Austin Armadillos in the North American Rugby League, for the competition’s inaugural season.
“They’re doing it well here. The money isn’t as good as it could be, but it’ll get better. I’m excited,” he went on.
“Rugby isn’t on the sports news at night but there’s a huge rugby following here in America.
“I’m hoping to get some Southern Hemisphere talent here. Get some New Zealand boys over this way.”