Hohneck decides he is a Southern man — for now
Mitre 10 Cup
THE world works in mysterious ways these days.
One year into a new three year deal at English club Gloucester, Josh Hohneck was enjoying his life, safely tucked up and living in the rolling hill country of the Cotswolds.
Now a few months later, he is back to pig hunting in the backblocks of Waikouaiti and wearing a blue and gold jersey.
The big tighthead prop, who played in all but one game for the Highlanders in 2015 as the side won the title, has — like most — had an eventful 2020.
He was one year into a three year deal at Gloucester when the season was halted because of Covid19.
‘‘I was pretty happy there; everything was going well, and then they halted our season and cut our pay a little bit. They gave everyone the opportunity to go home because we were going into the June break,’’ Hohneck said.
‘‘So I came home. We had a baby due — it was better off going home, and once we had the baby, look at coming back when we finished.
‘‘But once I got home I started realising, I missed home a bit. [I] spent time on the farm and thought I wouldn’t mind sticking around New Zealand for a while. [I] had a few conversations with Gloucester and managed to wrangle out of a contract.
‘‘I enjoyed my time over there. The standard is pretty high level — a bit slower than here but physical. Contact is a big thing, set piece is important as is defence. Maybe a little bit less ambitious in the attack cycles.’’
Hohneck (34) was talked about as an England player as he qualified through family, but said that was never a focus.
He had bought a property in
Otago: Michael Collins (captain), Vilimoni Koroi, Josh Timu, Aleki MorrisLome, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Sione Misiloi, Dylan Nel, Charles Elton, Josh Dickson, Jack Regan, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Hisa Sasagi, Will Tucker, Samuel Fischli, Jono Hickey,
Freedom Vahaakolo, Sean Withy. Wellington: Trent Renata, Wes Goosen, Billy Proctor, Peter UmagaJensen, Julian Savea, Jackson GardenBachop, Kemara HauitiParapara, Teariki BenNicholas, Du’Plessis Kirifi (captain), Vaea Fifita, Taine Plumtree, James Blackwell, Alex Fidow, James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ben AumuaPeseta, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Caleb Delany, Mateaki Kafatolu, Connor Collins, Aidan Morgan, Pepesana Patafilo
Waikouaiti before he left for England in 2016 and the south held some attraction.
There is also a family property on Awhitu Peninsula, southwest of Auckland.
‘‘I was home just before the first lockdown — two weeks of self isolation then straight into lockdown. [I] just worked on the [Awhitu] property — bit of building, earthworks, farming. That is part of the reason I stuck around really.
‘‘It’s not a bad part of the world, but my heart is probably down here. [I] just like the people, the lifestyle. I don’t mind the colder weather — it is good for hunting. I do a little bit of anything. Done it for years now. Get out with the dogs, butcher up a bit of meat, give it away . . . a bit of active meditation.’’
Rugby was still on his mind in lockdown and he still had good friends in the South.
‘‘I ended up having a few conversations with a few guys — what I do next, whether I want to play. I didn’t want to be out of the game for too long.
‘‘I wanted to play down here, rather than stay up home and maybe not [be] as emotionally invested in it. Some ways it was not the logical decision given I had a house up there. [I] thought ‘get down here and have a bit of southern life and can see the family and grandkids’.’’
He and his partner, Sam Dolan, have two daughters — Olive (2) and August (8 weeks).
He played a few games for Eastern, got signed by Otago but the future it is not too clear. He still reckons he has a few years left in him.
‘‘Do I want to stay here? Do
I want to go back overseas? Nothing is certain at the moment, so that makes it tough. I have had some positive conversations with a couple of Super Rugby franchises just about deciding what to do next. I’ll see if those offers come to fruition. My body is fine, really good. [I] played 100 games overseas and [have] never broken anything.’’
New Zealand Rugby was unable to provide the penalty imposed on Otago flanker Slade McDowall for his red card against Hawke’s Bay last Sunday. The process was still being completed.