LEIGH Centurions' recruitment drive for 2006 is off and running.

The new-look squad has started to take shape quickly over the last few days with deals being struck on both sides of the world.

The Tony Benson influence is clear with the capture of former Junior Kiwi scrum-half Aaron Heremaia who has been coached by the Centurions new boss at international and club levels.

Stepping down from Super League to join Leigh is former Warrington winger Dean Gaskell and the Widnes 'Missile', Misili Manu.

Leigh see Heremaia as the sort of quality half-back that could have a major impact in National League One.

First capped by New Zealand's Junior Kiwis in 2001, Heremaia made his Bartercard Cup debut that same season, playing 21 games and scoring six tries and two field goals in his first year. He was a regular for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders for three seasons (2001-03), making 57 appearances (21 tries, four field goals) before moving across the Tasman Sea to try his luck in Sydney. He became a NSW Premier League player with Wests Magpies in 2004 when he was also selected to represent the New Zealand Maori side. 2005 brought a short trek across Sydney, to the North Sydney Oval where Heremaia linked up with Kiwi halfback legend Gary Freeman and the Bears.

One of the top performers for the Bears in a pretty inconsistent season, he possesses a fine boot having struck a number of 40/20's this season.

Winger Gaskell has joined Leigh after surprisingly being released from the Halliwell-Jones.

The 22-year-old, who made 15 Super League appearances this season, has signed a two-year contract with the Centurions.

Gaskell quickly established himself as a safe and reliable winger soon after making his Wolves debut in 2002. Fleet-footed and agile, Gaskell is a good finisher and unfliching under the high ball. He can also play full-back and was an Irish international in 2003.

'Missile' Manu, 25, is a real character. He ran the 100m for his native Samoa in the 2000 Sydney Olympics before turning first to rugby union and then league in New Zealand where the winger topped the try-scorers list. He spent part of last season with Widnes where he had a serious claim on being the fastest man in Super League. He later joined Hull KR for a month.

The Centurions have also re-united the Leigh-born Bibey brothers, Ricky and Adam. Both return to Hilton Park for second spells.

Ricky, 24, the former Wigan and St Helens front rower, had a long spell on loan with Leigh two years ago before joining Oldham. Younger brother Adam, 19, came up through Leigh's Academy system before moving to Widnes.

"They have never played together before so they are looking forward to that," said Leigh football director Steve Grainey. "They are both local lads who want to play for their home-town team."

Leigh have also signed scrum-half Carl Forber, who spent the last month of the season on loan from St Helens, re-signed former Bradford prop Richard Moore and handed new deals to centre Danny Halliwell, full-back Neil Turley, hooker Paul Rowley and utility player Mike Govin.

The squad so far is: Aaron Heremaia, Dean Gaskell, Misili Manu, Adam Bibey, Ricky Bibey, Richard Moore, Warren Stevens, Matt Bottom, Tommy Grundy, James Taylor, Liam Coleman, Carl Forber, Mike Govin, Paul Rowley, Kieron Maddocks, Neil Turley, Danny Halliwell and Nick Owen.