Aaron Heremaia's rugby league career completes the full circle when he makes his National Rugby League debut on Sunday for the New Zealand Warriors.
The well-travelled Heremaia, 26, has been chosen as starting hooker against the West Tigers in Auckland, replacing the experienced Ian Henderson, who drops out of the 17.
The former Junior Kiwi is no stranger to Mt Smart Stadium, having been part of the Warriors' development programme as a teenager.
"I was here and sort of had the attitude that I had made it, but that was far from the case," he said today.
"That was the easy bit, getting into the Warriors. The hard bit was getting into the side. I learnt from that.
"I travelled to Australia and England, so I've done a big full circle. Now I'm back at the Warriors and I couldn't be happier."
Heremaia's first club in Australia was the Wests Tigers, for whom he played in reserve grade, so he could see the irony in facing the Tigers in his NRL debut.
There was also a stint with the North Sydney Bears, before he plied his trade with English clubs Halifax, Widnes and Leigh.
Returning to New Zealand, he impressed with the Auckland Vulcans last season, and again when chosen by coach Ivan Cleary for the Warriors in trials at the start of this year.
After beginning this season with the Vulcans, Heremaia went on to travel with the Warriors as 18th man and sensed he was knocking on the first-grade door.
"I feel I've been playing well," he said.
"I've just been putting myself out there in front of Ivan and saying, `Hey, look at me, I'm ready to go.' Now I've got that chance."
Heremaia said there hadn't been any specific instructions from Cleary this week, apart from being accurate in what he did.
"He just wants me to be accurate from dummy-half, passing, defence," he said.
"That was a big word from Ivan, accuracy." Heremaia has played much of his football at halfback, but professed to having no real preference where he operated.
He believed familiarity with both positions was a definite advantage.
"As a halfback you know what you want from your hooker," he said.
"So naturally, when I go hooker, I know what my halfback wants."
His halfback experience also meant he offered a kicking game that would help to take some of the load off halfback Stacey Jones and five-eighth Joel Moon.
Robbie Farah's elevation to the New South Wales State of Origin side means Heremaia will miss a head-to-head match-up with the Tigers' skipper.
But he isn't expected any let-up from Farah's replacement in the No 9 jersey.
"He's a big loss for them, Robbie Farah, he's an integral part of their team," he said.
"But Johnny Morris was originally a hooker who was converted into the halves so he will fill that spot easy."
Heremaia is one of two NRL debutants Cleary has included in his starting 13 as the Warriors attempt to snap a three-match losing streak.
The other is 20-year-old Kevin Locke, who comes on to the wing in place of Denan Kemp and who will also take over the goalkicking duties that have been handled by Kemp.
Cleary was hoping the pair's inclusion would provide some fresh legs and also lead to an injection of enthusiasm.
"Aaron has had his hand up all year and he has earned his spot," he said.
"Everyone knows Kevin has plenty of potential and he is a player who has got that something. He's an exciting prospect."
