Peter Betham: Manu Tuilagi should pay me for doing his dirty work!
Australian Test wing Betham, one of a number of new signings to have impressed during Tigers‘ fine start, has thrived playing out of position.
Tuilagi is set to return next week and Betham told The Rugby Paper: “Once Manu’s back I’ve told him he owes me some dinners since I’ve been making all his tackles. Maybe there should be a salary sacrifice from him into my account!
“It’s been very different for me playing at 13 because I’m not used to all this tackling, but (head coach) Aaron Mauger’s mentored me well and his advice has been handy. It’s actually been a good transition and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I’ve played centre throughout all the competitions so far, so it will be interesting to see what happens when Manu comes back. But I’m happy to play anywhere as long as we keep winning and will do it to the best of my ability.”
Betham, 26, sacrificed the chance of adding to his two Wallaby caps when he opted to head to the Premiership. He has no regrets, though, saying: “Although it was a very tough to leave, it was about a new journey and opportunities.
“I’ve won a Super Rugby title with the Waratahs and represented my country, so I felt it was time to gain experience overseas and it just made it easier that Aaron was here for a bit of Southern Hemisphere influence.
“I had a good chat with Daryl Gibson, who’s now in charge at the Waratahs and played for Leicester before, so he gave me good, honest feedback on what the set-up here was about and it’s what I wanted to be part of.
“The culture was already set and being able to connect with people who are genuinely interested in the club has been really good. It’s just a genuine group of people who want to get better on and off the field and win titles.”
Betham concedes English rugby is more of a grind, explaining: “The way teams put so much emphasis on the set-piece is very different. It’s taken me some time to adapt to because I’m used to a very expansive game.
“They play the percentages a lot more here and winning is the main focus. But I think at Tigers we’re starting to get a balance between winning with a bit of flair whilst sticking to the traditional roots of Leicester forward play.”
Betham believes Tigers have a squad to deliver silverware, adding: “We have good depth, especially at centre, half-back and wing.
“There’s healthy competition throughout and I feel sorry for the coaches having to make those choices. But there’s a good environment and it’s not a place where people hold grudges over selection, so I believe we’ll thrive.”
NEALE HARVEY
