Hohneck (30) will sit on the bench for Otago tomorrow when it takes on Counties-Manukau at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Hohneck had ended his season with the Highlanders and had signed a contract with Gloucester in England.
Otago coach Cory Brown said Hohneck needed to have surgery on his nose immediately after the end of the Super rugby season.
Brown was in contact with Hohneck, who was living in Waikouaiti and said Hohneck was interested in playing for Otago once his nose was fixed.
With Hisa Sasagi out because of a hairline fracture of the eye socket and unable to play, Southern prop Mike Mata’afa was on the bench last week.
He picked up an injury against Auckland and Brown said Mata’afa was more of a loosehead option.Hohneck was fit enough to play, his nose had healed and he was a quality prop, Brown said.
He had to see out his contract with New Zealand Rugby before heading overseas and there was also an option of making the New Zealand Maori tour.
Brown said having Hohneck was a boost and he was a player with a lot of experience.
Hohneck was actually born in Pukekohe, the town where tomorrow’s opponent is based.
Otago has made six changes to its starting side with hooker Sam Anderson-Heather coming back in at hooker following concussion and will also make his captaincy debut for Otago.
Brown said, at a touch, Anderson-Heather could have played last week against Auckland but it was wiser to rest him.
The Dunedin rake has been in fine form this season and leads by example, so the captaincy should sit fine with him.Blair Tweed comes into the locking position with Josh Dickson moving to the bench.
Adam Knight starts on the blindside flank instead of Lee Allan and Naulia Dawai replaces the injured Paul Grant at No 8. Grant injured his knee last week against Auckland.
He has done no structural damage but is still feeling bruised.
He may not make it next Friday to play Manawatu but should be right for the semifinals.
In the backs, Scott Eade comes in for Fletcher Smith and Sio Tomkinson replaces Matt Faddes.
Eade has not started since the first game of the season and deserved an opportunity, Brown said while Tomkinson’s physical presence would be an asset in the game.
Sione Teu and Kaide Whiting come into the reserves.
Winger Gavin Stark has a tight hamstring. Brown said Stark was injured at the start of the season and then came back to play for Otago B but the other wingers had performed well.
Counties-Manukau are in a race for the playoffs in the premiership section and with its last game against Canterbury will be targeting a win tomorrow.
It has made just the one change with halfback Augustine Pulu suspended and Richard Judd coming into the team.
The side has a big forward pack and Otago will have to cut the ball carriers down early. It will look to run the big forwards from the visitors around the park and tire them out.
Otago v Counties-Manakau
FB Stadium, tomorrow, 5.35pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Sio Tomkinson, Tei Walden, Fa’asiu Fuata’i, Scott Eade, Jonathan Ruru, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Adam Knight, Tom Franklin, Blair Tweed, Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Jonah Aoina, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, Sione Teu, Kaide Whiting, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.
Counties-Manukau: Luteru Laulala, Sione Fifita, Sam Vaka, Cardiff Vaega, Sherwin Stowers, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Sootala Fa’aso’o, Jordan Taufua, Jimmy Tupou (captain), Matiaha Martin, Viliame Rarasea, Kalolo Tuiloma, Gafatasi Su’a, Sean Bagshaw. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu, Sione Faletau, Matt Vaai, Joshua Dowling, Jonathan Taumateine, Joe Reynolds, Toni Pulu.