Biography:

Aaron Heremaia commenced his first team career in 2001 under the stewardship of Tony Benson at Hibiscus Coast Raiders. In his first season Heremaia played 21 games, scoring 6 tries and two drop goals. During this season he earned Junior Kiwi honours, playing alongside current Kiwi internationals Roy Asotasi, Lance Hohaia and Wigan's Iafeta Palea'aesina.

The following season Aaron was again a regular and scored 11 tries and a drop goal. By the end of 2003 he had appeared 57 times for Hibiscus scoring 88 points.

He then moved across the Tasman to play in the NSW Premier League, widely recognised as the second tier beneath the NRL in Australia. In that time, Heremaia played for Wests Magpies and North Sydney Bears. Whilst with Wests Magpies, Heremaia earned a call-up to the New Zealand Maoris. His form at North Sydney saw Aaron pick up 7 tries and 20 goals from 22 appearances and he won an award as supporters Player of the Year on the club's presentation night in 2005. He then went on to play against the Cook Islands in the Maoris two test series, scoring two tries in a 30-14 victory.

After agreeing to join the Centurions in 2006, Heremaia became the first Kiwi halfback to play for the Centurions since Alan Mason in 1996 and the first to appear at scrum half since test ace Shane Varley in the eighties.

After initially taking a little time to settle at his new club, Aaron soon won over the fans with a series of fine performances. He scored a try from halfway in a Northern Rail Cup victory over Widnes and bettered this effort with a 70 yard sprint in a match-winning performance that edged Leigh to a 29-28 victory over Rochdale.

Towards the back end of the campaign he was in sparkling form with his unique attacking style and kicking game a major part of Leigh's offence. Equally at home defending in centrefield and out on the fringes, nothing much gets past Heremaia and he will be looking for that little more attacking freedom this season after his debut term in British Rugby League yielded 28 appearances, 17 tries, 6 goals and 2 drop-goals.

By Dave Parkinson