St Helens utility player Lance Hohaia has announced his retirement with immediate effect.
The First Utility Super League champions say the former New Zealand international informed them of his decision to not play for them again and that he is hanging up his boots.
In a statement, the club said: “St Helens announce that Lance Hohaia has informed us of his retirement from rugby league and will therefore not play for the club again.
“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.”
The 32-year-old Hohaia, who was at full-back in the Kiwis’ 2008 World Cup final win over Australia, was the player knocked out by Wigan Warriors’ Ben Flower in the opening moments of October’s Grand Final.
Hohaia, who won 29 caps for the Kiwis, made 185 appearances for New Zealand Warriors from 2002 to 2011, when he joined St Helens on a four-year deal.
He made 78 appearances for Saints in a variety of positions, including full-back, hooker and half-back, and played an influential role in the absence of playmaker Luke Walsh in helping them reach the 2014 Grand Final.
His appearance at Old Trafford lasted barely two minutes after he was twice punched by Flower, who became the first man to be sent off in a Grand Final, but he was able to collect his winners’ medal at full-time.
Hohaia’s final appearance in Super League was in Saints’ 11-8 win at Huddersfield Giants on Easter Monday.
State of MInd would like to wish Lance all the very best for the next phase of his career