St Helens have confirmed that half-back Lance Hohaia has retired from rugby league with immediate effect.
The 32-year-old former New Zealand international joined the club from New Zealand Warriors in 2012.
Hohaia was involved in one of the sport's most controversial incidents of recent times last season when he was punched twice by Wigan Warriors' Ben Flower during the opening minutes of the Super League Grand Final.
Flower was sent off and given a six-month ban for the attack, though Hohaia later insisted that he had forgiven the Welshman.
"St Helens announce that Lance Hohaia has informed us of his retirement from rugby league and will therefore not play for the club again," read an official statement.
"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 continue their Super League campaign on Friday when they host Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Jack Prescott
