Manu Tuilagi’s mission to take centre stage

Manu Tuilagi wants it known that he is a centre and he intends to put the worst season of his career behind him to prove that he is one of the world’s best.
Forced to watch the rise of Luther Burrell from the sidelines after suffering a pectoral muscle injury last September, Tuilagi returned in time to tour New Zealand.
But even then he was pushed out to the wing for the second Test.
With the No.13 on his back, the 23-year-old is one of the most destructive runners in world rugby and arguably England‘s most potent weapon.
He does not, however, have the pace of his brother Alesana to play on the wing – that was evident in that second Test when he was run down by Ben Smith just before half-time.
All that is behind him, however, and he is eager for the new season to start so he can put his words into action.
“My favourite position is at outside centre where you get involved a lot more with ball in hand and you can show what you can do. Hopefully I’ll play there in November,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“Last season was probably my worst season as a professional. Watching your mates playing while you’re stuck in rehab or in the gym is not a nice place to be.
“I had to watch a lot of games from the sidelines which helped me learn a lot about the game and I’m also now a more mature person.
“My main goal this season is to stay fit for Leicester and nail down that England No.13 shirt. I’m fully fit and I can’t wait to get going.”
Last June, England came close to recording their first win in New Zealand since 2003 but Tuilagi, who this week joined Paragon Sports Management, reckons they must find the killer instinct sooner rather than later.
“That final step is crucial if we want to move forward. You have to finish the game off against big teams like New Zealand, Australia or South Africa,” he said.
“We’ve got to get a win against one of the big three before the start of the World Cup and we can’t wait to take them on in the autumn internationals.”
NICK VERDIER
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on August 24.