Andrew Van der Heijden was schooled at Auckland Grammar School and was a member of the Auckland Academy before being loaned to Counties-Manukau in 2006.

Counties-Manukau signed the lock after the 2006 season and he went on to play 46 games for the Steelers, captaining the team in 2008 and being awarded the Counties Player of the Year that same year. 

Van der Heijden returned to Auckland last year to establish himself as a member of both the Blues and Auckland teams. He is a superb lineout jumper with one of the highest workrates in the game.

Club: University