Maori recruited to step into giant boots of Leeds survival hero Lund

The Kiwi, 31, is a like-for-like replacement for towering second-row Erik Lund, whose reward for playing such a pivotal role in Leeds's Premiership survival is a lucrative contract with Heineken Cup finalists Biarritz.

Replacing the 6ft 8in, 256lb Lund was always going to be a sizeable task for Leeds, but head coach Neil Back appears to have found the ideal candidate in Hohneck, who at 6ft 8in, 258lb, is even bigger.

"Erik Lund did a fantastic job for us over the past two years and we developed him as a player during his time at the club," said Back.

"Our challenge was to find someone with the same physical presence as Erik plus the ability to compete in the lineout – in Sean we believe we have found that ideal candidate.

"He has the same frame as Erik and is a fantastic option in the lineout."

Hohneck joins on a two-year contract from Italian club Viadana. He has previous Premiership experience, having helped Bristol to a third-place finish and Heineken Cup qualification in 2007.

With Leeds bidding for a top-six finish next term, his experience could prove vital.

"Sean could have remained in Italy to play in the Magners League but he was keen to return to the Guinness Premiership," said Back of a player who represented the Maoris while playing for Waikato Chiefs in New Zealand.

"He has a young family and wants a new challenge to test himself. He has bought into what we want to achieve as a club.

"We have done a lot of homework to make sure we are signing someone who can not

only add to our playing strength but also to our character as a club."

Leeds crowd favourite Juan Gomez has committed himself to the Yorkshire club for a further two years after agreeing a new contract with the club.

Jonny Wilkinson will learn today whether injury will rob him of a place on England's summer tour to Australia.

The World Cup-winning fly-half suffered a suspected broken rib in Toulon's Challenge Cup final defeat to Cardiff on Sunday and undergoes tests today.

Toulon coach Philippe Saint-Andre said: "We will know more on Tuesday. If it is broken then yes (he will miss the tour) if not, then no."