THE Tongan Warrior is preparing himself for the greatest battle yet as the countdown for the game of the season begins.

Sateki Tuipulotu will travel to his old battle ground at Headingley in a month's time, desperate to live his dream of promotion to the Premiership.

And it will be his former Leeds team-mates who stand in his, and Worcester's way, of the promised land.

The Yorkshire side have tested Worcester's National One title credentials to the limit with a magnificent run since their 40-13 defeat at Sixways. However, their old favourite, who scored 23 points against Leeds on that September day will be lining up, intent on ending their title challenge.

The Tongan international enjoyed three seasons at Leeds, scoring 772 points and was also named Jewson Player of the Season in the 1997/98 campaign.

There will be no mixed loyalties when he returns though.

He said: "I left Leeds because I thought I'd done enough there. I could have stayed there for another two years - which they offered - but I didn't think I couldn't achieve any more as a Leeds player.

"As an individual I think I did well for them but it was time to go. I enjoyed my time there and the club were great but I needed a new challenge."

The 29-year-old could have plumped for a Premiership One side after his Headingley departure but to live his dream of helping a National One side into the top flight, he jumped at the chance to join Worcester.

"It would have been easy for me to play for a Premiership One side because I had the offers but that was not part of my plans.

"My ambition is to get a National League side into the Premiership and be part of history.

"That would be a milestone for me and if I can do that with Worcester it would be great.

"I want this promotion more than anything and I think Worcester deserve it."

Tuipulotu does not sit easily in the stereotypical "foreign" player bracket which normally suggests a money-grabbing, mercenary mentality. The devoted Christian believes his success at the top level is only a reflection of the help God has given him and the support he has received from his family.

And rather than the all too familiar financial seduction which runs through sport like a disease, Tuipulotu's motivation stems from a pure desire to etch his name into rugby's history books.

The winger-cum-full-back is fulfiling his father's dreams of playing for Tonga after his career was cruelly cut short through injury.

Dan Tuipulotu was all set for a call-up for his country before he broke his arm in two places. He now keenly follows his son's career and has been present at every single one of Sateki's 30 Test matches.

"I am fulfiling his dreams as well as mine. He was very unlucky because he had the chance but then broke his arm. He is always there though when I play for Tonga.

"My father is my mentor, he has taught me a lot about life and rugby - he's guided me through life.

"My whole family is Christian and a very tight-knit unit. I ring them every week and they are obviously very pleased that things are going well."

The former World Cup star has scored more than 300 points this season in his new role as goalkicking winger and is delighted with the new coaching structure under Geoff Cooke and Adrian Skeggs.

"It's a massive season for me and the club. I feel good within myself, I'm playing with confidence and my goal-kicking is coming along. I'd like to think I'm a major part of the team as a player not just for my goal-kicking. I'm there for my running, tackling and scoring tries as well.

"It has gone well so far, I feel I have been consistent. I set myself a target of 10 tries this season and I'm on 14 now."

He is still hungry for more though and will not be happy until he savoured the experience of being part of a championship winning side with Worcester.

The thought of defeat at Headingley on April 1 is something he cannot contemplate but he admits, his former club are probably title favourites at present.

"There is no doubt about it, they are the form side. However, form is form and what matters is what happens on the day - it is all on the day.

"We have reacted well to pressure situations all season and the bigger the match, the more the players raise their game."

And on April Fools Day, you wouldn't bet against Teki having the widest grin of all after the match and probably the last laugh.