AARON Heremaia's Italian girlfriend has rescued the Leigh career of the former Junior Kiwi and Maori international.

The scrum-half's original work permit application was turned down by the Department of Employment because, they claimed, he did not meet new, more stringent immigration criteria.

But, because Heremaia's girlfriend is Italian and travels on an EU passport, the player can now enter the country on a dependant's visa.

"His application for a visa should now be a formality," says Benson. "It shouldn't be too long before he gets over here to join us."