Walking out at the City of Manchester Stadium wearing only leaves and a broad smile, will be a dream come true for Tevita Vaikona.

Super League's leading try-scorer is looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, and a chance to don Tonga's national dress.

And then a week later he will have a chance to test out his skills under a different code as he competes in the rugby union sevens.

"This is the Commonwealth Games, man. This is a massive, awesome occasion," said the 27-year-old flying winger, scorer of 15 tries for the Bradford Bulls this season.

"Just representing my country will be a great honour, this sort of thing is too important to miss.

"In some ways, to win the gold medal for Tonga would be better than winning the Grand Final.

"It is difficult to compare, but there is something about representing your country that makes it special."

Although never playing rugby union to a high standard, on his annual return visits to Tonga he coaches and joins in pre-season with his local island team, Uiha.

"I do a bit of running around with them when I go home every year, and we do play a bit of sevens as well," said Vaikona, vice-captain for Tonga in the 2000 World Cup.

"Around Christmas time there isn't a lot to do, so we organise a little sevens tournament between local teams and I play in that.

"I wouldn't fancy playing 15-a-side, but sevens is an easy game to adapt to. You just pass, catch and run, there isn't a lot more to the game than that."

Vaikona won't just be competing for his country on the field, he is helping out off it too.

"I do a bit of work helping to find Tongans teams to play for over here," said Vaikona. "I'm like a sort of agent, and have help people find teams in Italy and all over Britain.

"It is mostly union, but I am contact with pretty much all Tongans over here, and I have suggested a few lads that could be picked for the Commonwealth Games.

"Originally we didn't have any kit for the event, I thought it was going to be a case of playing just in leaves, but with some help from Logitog, Diamond Seal and Sewell Distribution, sponsors of the Bulls, we now have something to play in."

His off-the-pitch work will come as no surprise to those who know Vaikona, a fiercely patriotic Tongan.

"I feel very privileged to be in the position I am," he added. "As far as I know I have the first person from my island to represent my country, and I like to give a bit back."

The lack of television means the folks back home don't realise what an impact Vaikona has made on the rugby league scene over here, but that can't hold back his national pride.

And it will be there for the world to see when he joins his fellow countrymen for the sipitau (the Tongan haka) before going for gold.