Warriors utility Lance Hohaia would love another opportunity to fill the fullback void after an encouraging debut there against the Eels.

Most Australian critics wrote off the Warriors play-off hopes after boom fullback Wade McKinnon suffered a season-ending knee injury in the pre-season.

But Hohaia, a surprise choice yesterday, showed he could be the answer to Ivan Cleary's prayers with a poised display as the last line of defence against a Parramatta team tipped as a potential pacesetter this year.

Hohaia has played at scrumhalf, stand-off half, hooker and centre in his his seven-year stint with the Warriors and was initially named yesterday on the interchange bench where his versatility is prized.

But Cleary sprang a switch by dropping Aidan Kirk -- first-choice fullback last week against the Storm -- and installing his Mister Fix-it.

"I thought he handled it really well," said Cleary, himself a former Warriors fullback. "He'll certainly be better for the run; it was encouraging."

Cleary said Hohaia, who struggled for starts last season, was in good form and "wherever he's gone, he's done well". Hohaia was confident under the high ball, tackled well, chased like a terrier and was much more aggressive in attack than the inexperienced Kirk had been in Melbourne.

The Press