Born: September 19, 1982
Test record: 1 Test (2010) – 0 points

Well-travelled Auckland hooker Aaron Heremaia played his sole Test for New Zealand against Australia in 2010 and starred in the Warriors’ run to the NRL grand final the following season.

The Manurewa Marlins junior was on a development contract with the Warriors in the early-2000s while also playing for Bartercard Cup outfit Hibiscus Coast Raiders. A half early in his career, Heremaia debuted for New Zealand Māori against Tonga in 2002 and captained the side on a tour of France in 2003.

Following NSWRL Premier League stints with Western Suburbs Magpies and North Sydney Bears, he spent two seasons with second-tier English club Leigh Centurions.

Heremaia returned to Auckland in 2008, impressing for the Vulcans in the NSW Cup to earn another crack with the Warriors. He played 11 games at five-eighth, hooker and off the bench during the club’s difficult 2009 campaign before playing every game as the Warriors returned to the finals in fifth place in 2010.

The 27-year-old came off the bench for the Kiwis in a 12-8 loss to the Kangaroos at AAMI Park early in 2010 and represented New Zealand Māori again at the end of the year, scoring a try in an 18-all draw with Great Britain.

Heremaia was a vital component of the Warriors’ memorable charge to the 2011 grand final but left the club at the end of the year, playing over 170 games in Super League stints with Hull FC (2012-14) and Widnes (2015-18).