Aldworth, who has played more than 100 games for his club, University, and who first played for Otago six years ago, in 2002, made his starting debut in a competitive match for Otago on Saturday against Tasman.
Prior to Saturday afternoon, Aldworth (30), a prop, had racked up 31 appearances for the Otago side over the years, but he started in just four of those matches.
Those four starts were in pre-season games, before the national provincial competition started.
So when Aldworth was called into the starting XV last Friday after regular loosehead prop Keith Cameron went down with a knee injury, he finally got the chance to run out with the team in a game in which competition points were at stake.
"It was totally different, really. There is a bit more atmosphere right from the kick-off. You have got to be switched on right away," he said.
He first played for Otago against Marlborough in 2002, when Tom Donnelly, James Ryan, Jason Macdonald, and Toby Morland also all made their Otago debuts.
Last Saturday, Aldworth had to play the full 80min but said that was not a problem as he had played full games for his club side and the Otago B team.
Aldworth had a torrid battle with the Tasman front row and was penalised a couple of times by referee Keith Brown.
"They rated their scrum and wanted to have a go at us. They were trying different things but it didn't put us off our game. You get different refs and they have different interpretations."
Starting this week against Taranaki was a possibility but depended on Cameron's injury.
Aldworth said he did not mind being a perennial substitute and it was an important role.
"All the other 29 guys who have been playing the game have got the flow of the game and the tempo, and you've got to find that."
He said keeping warm by running up and down the sidelines during a game was important for a reserve.
"That is crucial. You might have to go on at any minute and be called upon to do a big run straight away. If you don't warm up you'll get found out."
Aldworth has a bachelor of science degree in information technology but said rugby was the career at the moment, though he continued to do computer courses and often had to fix team-mates' computers.
Aldworth said the side was disappointed with the draw against Tasman.
Otago, sitting in ninth position, has three games left, and Aldworth said the team was focusing on the next three games, and on switching on for the entire 80min.
Lock Tom Donnelly is likely to be available for Friday night's game, while a decision on Cameron's availability is due today.
The Taranaki team was named last night.
