“This could be the year that the Warriors win an NRL premiership and the Kiwis win the World Cup”.

Lance Hohaia, Warriors player #99 and one of the heroes of New Zealand’s historic 2008 World Cup triumph, is daring to dream.

The former playmaker, who scored a try and was awarded a penalty try in the 2008 final against the Kangaroos, now lives in the United States but he has been watching the fortunes of the Warriors and other Kiwis players with growing excitement.

“I definitely see some parallels with 2008,” Hohaia said. “The Warriors are having a fantastic season, and that’s a great place for us to be in from my perspective as a Warriors fan and as a Kiwis fan.

“Hopefully everyone can come through the NRL season fit and healthy, and the Kiwis can pick the top squad that they want to pick.

“I think there's going to be some good players who miss out on the game day 17 who run out and play, and that's a good position to be in for Stacy and the coaches.”

Photo: Lance Hohaia and Benji Marshall celebrate New Zealand's historic 2008 World Cup win. @Photosport NZ

Jones will be without star playmaker Dylan Brown, who was widely considered the player of the tournament in last year’s Pacific Championships, won by the Kiwis after defeating Samoa in the final.

However, Hohaia believes New Zealand has enough depth in the halves and they will be playing behind a powerful forward pack unlikely to be rivalled at the World Cup, while superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga has pledged his allegiance to the Kiwis.

“Dylan Brown's obviously going to be a loss in the halves, but I think Kodi Nikorima is playing really well with the Dolphins, hopefully Jahrome Hughes is back after his injuries and Te Maire Martin's back for the Warriors,” Hohaia said.

“You look at that potential forward pack for the Kiwis, and it’s pretty unreal with the amount of strike power they've got up front, so I'm very, very confident that they can have a good tournament.

“Obviously, Samoa in the last four or five years have really come on as an international force and they were in the final last time, England's going to be strong, Aussie will always be strong but if the Kiwis can pick their strongest team, I think they're a real chance to win it.”

As the countdown to RLWC26 enters the final month before the Kiwis take on the Kangaroos in the opening game at Allianz Stadium on October 15, Hohaia has picked his New Zealand team.

“There’s some very good players that obviously aren't in there, who could still push for selection, but there will be some good players that aren't going to be in the team and they'll be disappointed,” Hohaia said.

“I'd go with Kalyn Ponga at No.1, Jamayne Isaako on one wing and Ronaldo Mulitalo on the other, JoJo Fifita and Casey McLean would be my centres and as of now, I’d probably put Kodi at six, and Jahrome at seven.

“James Fisher Harris would be the first prop chosen, and he'd be captain because I think he's been fantastic this year for the Warriors. His leadership has grown and it's been outstanding.

“With the forward pack, in particular, it's impossible to fit everyone in. A guy like Erin Clark has been unreal this year for the Warriors, but you've got James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joey Tapine, as well, so that’s absolutely stacked.

“Joey and Erin could be interchangeable in that lock position. I think Erin's playing fantastic football for the Warriors. He knows when to roll his sleeves up and carry strong, and carry hard. He's a big, skillful man - he can pass the ball and defensively he's rock solid.

“But Joey Tapine has been there and done that, he's experienced, so that's probably why I lean on him to start; having that leadership experience in big games, and he's been a Kiwi for the last decade, so I think he deserves to keep that spot there.

“It’s a very, very big, strong, powerful and skillful forward pack, which is what they're going to need to win the tournament.

“There is so much Kiwi talent playing throughout the NRL, and a lot of New Zealanders are doing really well across the NRL for their club teams, so hopefully everyone can stay fit and healthy.”

Lance Hohaia's 19-man Kiwis line-up

Kalyn Ponga
Jamayne Isaaka
Casey McLean
Jojo Fifita
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Kodi Nikorima
Jahrome Hughes
James Fisher-Harris (c)
Jeremy Marshall-King
Moses Leota
Briton Nikora
Isaiah Papali'i
Joseph Tapine
Phoenix Crossland
Erin Clark
Naufahu Whyte
Xavier Willison
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Jordan Riki

Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.