Former New Zealand international and Warriors utility Lance Hohaia has retired from rugby league with immediate effect.

English Super League club St Helens, who Hohaia has played for since 2012, released a statement on Wednesday with the news their halfback had decided to hang up the boots.

“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,” said the statement.

Unfortunately, the 32-year-old is best remembered recently for an unsavoury incident in the Super League grand final at Wembley last year.

He lasted just two minutes of the match after being punched twice by Wigan prop Ben Flower including once while he lay on the ground.

Hohaia, who won 29 caps for the Kiwis, made 185 appearances for the New Zealand Warriors from 2002-2011 before joining St Helens on a four-year deal.