The Australian captain's retirement roadshow has been well documented since he confirmed this year would be his last as among rugby league's elite.
Lance Hohaia intends to play on, but the Kiwis fullback also accepts his test career will be now probably be limited to New Zealand's excursions to the northern hemisphere.
By signing a deal with English Super League club St Helens, the utility back realises he will no longer be in the frame for the annual Anzac test.
A compressed lead-up and the tyranny of distance means the Kiwis selectors no longer bring down Super League-aligned Kiwis for the one-off international, so Hohaia is keen to make the most of his farewell performance.
Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium has been kind to him since during a 27-test career he began as a wide-eyed teenager on the tour of the UK and France in 2002.
He will always savour two memories of playing at Queensland's home of football - the 2008 World Cup final and the climax to last year's Four Nations.
The Kiwis shocked the Kangaroos on both occasions and now he hopes his Anzac test jinx ends at Skilled Park.
"To win an Anzac test would be a nice way to finish," said Hohaia, who still hoped his form for St Helens would earn selection when the Kiwis ventured north.
"It's up to the selectors to decide. If I'm playing good enough and the coach wants me in the side …. I'm still hopeful I'll be able to play for the Kiwis again but there's definitely a lot of young guys coming through."
Gerard Beale was introduced to the Kiwis environment this week while Josh Hoffman, the 20-year-old's teammate at the Brisbane Broncos, has also pledged allegiance to New Zealand despite also being born in Queensland.
Then there's Glen Fisiiahi at the Warriors, the beneficiary when Hohaia was dropped temporarily earlier this season.
"Our depth at fullback looks good for the future, I'd say Glen would pop up in the Kiwis in the next few years."
Hohaia is well aware of the downside of expanding horizons to the north of England - he profited when Brent Webb transferred from the Warriors to Leeds, a move that effectively ended his 16-test career in 2008.
"Webby was a great player for the Kiwis and I guess he shows what happens when you go to the UK. He's been able to come back since."
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said Hohaia could still be selected for tournaments, just as Wigan halfback Thomas Leuluai was included in the World Cup and Four Nations-winning squads.
"We'll never discount guys for end of season tours when we go up to the northern hemisphere. Sometimes it's to your advantage to have guys playing in that environment," he said.
Kearney was one of the old pros on Hohaia's debut tour and was impressed with his progression over the years.
"To see him develop the way he has …. he's had his knockers but he's just kept persevering. He's been wonderful for the Warriors," Kearney said.
The former second rower only has vague memories of Hohaia's first exposure to the Kiwis environment nine years ago.
"I didn't have a lot to do with him. He kicked around with Stacey (Jones), he was more his height."
