Preview: Samoa v United States
Speaking ahead of their World Cup pool opener against the United States on Sunay that referees treat them fairly.
Samoa are seeded to reach the quarterfinals from Pool B – that also comprises two-time champions South Africa, Japan and Scotland. But Betham is forecasting a tight tussle with the Americans even though his side is packed with players playing in England and France.
Key to the Samoans chances of reaching the last eight for the third time will be them keeping their cool in the heat of battle, according to 
Betham. They have already lost veteran lock Kane Williamson for the opening game to finish a two match ban.
"Discipline is something we have worked hard on and the boys have talked about," said Betham on Friday.
Discipline "is one of those things we have to keep our focus on," he added.
"It will play a big part. The referees have tagged us and have perceptions of it, but we can't use it as an excuse.
"However, whatever they do to us we ask they see it the same way with our opposition.
"We are not going to complain we just want it done evenly and we will get on with the job."
The importance of keeping their cool is reflected in how tight previous matches against the Americans have been, with the Pacific islands team winning all four but never by more than seven points.
"The United States pose a great threat, a fortnight ago they trailed Australia [at Soldier Field, Chicago] by very little at half-time [10-14] and 
they hung in there [though they ended up losing 10-47]," said Betham.
"We have a lot of respect for them and we have to be on our game on Sunday because we are expecting a big match.
"All four previous games have been tight and I am not expecting anything different. We are focused on what we can do, and we will try and minimalise any mistakes we may make."
Betham dismissed the form guide as being overwhelmingly in their favour despite having beaten virtually the same USA team 21-16 in July in the Pacific Nations Cup. The Americans showed great spirit then to come back from 3-21 down.
"The Pacific Nations is a different game," said Betham, who will look to the Pisi brothers, Ken on the wing and Tusi at flyhalf, to make their experience felt at the highest level.
"In the World Cup every game is a championship game. This is where you gauge yourself on the world stage.
"Every country has brought their best team and you can't afford a lapse of concentration.
"It is very important we start well, which we haven't in our last couple of games. We have the belief that if we start well everything will fall into place."
For the Americans much will depend on how talented Ireland-born flyhalf AJ MacGinty – he only made his debut in the Samoa game and scored 11 points – takes to the hotbed atmosphere of a World Cup and if he can punish with his boot any ill discipline by the Samoans.
MacGinty, whose alma mater is Blackrock College, the same as iconic Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll, has some talented backs outside him, no more so than Zimbabwe-born wing Takudzwa Ngwenya, whose pace may have slowed over the years but will still punish slack defending.
Players to watch:
For Samoa: So many to watch out for… Tim Nanai-Williams should be electric from the back and any miss-fired kicks will be severely punished by the speedster. Everyone will be looking out for some trademark bone-crunching tackles from Alesana Tuilagi while Tusi Pisi will certainly keep the USA backline guessing at all times. In the forwards Jack Lam has an immense work-rate and he is a strong carrier. He will look to, in conjunction with his skipper, get the Samoan backline plenty of clean ball.
For USA: Inspirational leader and utility back Chris Wyles is always a threat on attack, and we all know what Takudzwa Ngwenya is capable of after the 2007 World Cup. Flyhalf AJ MacGinty must control the game at a pace that suits his side and he will be key for the Eagles if they want a chance in this game. Blockbusting No.8 Samu Manoa will hope he can get the Eagles on the front-foot over some hard-hitting Samoan defence.
Head to head: The spotlight will be on the wings where Takudzwa Ngwenya's raw pace will be in direct battle with the power of Alesana Tuilagi. The pivotal showdown between Tusi Pisi and AJ MacGinty will be crucial and interesting to see who adopts which tactics – the Samoans will surely run the ball where as the Eagles may play a territory game. Their is a mouth watering clash at the back of the scrum where Samoan captain Ofisa Treviranus will take on Samu Manoa of the Eagles.
Recent results:
2015: Samoa won 21-16 in San Jose
2007: Samoa won 25-21 in Saint-Etienne
2000: Samoa won 19-12 in San Francisco
1999: Samoa won 27-20 in Apia
Prediction: USA are a much improved outfit and it will be a close encounter however Samoa will out-muscle the Eagles with strength and experience. Samoa should win by 10 points.
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (captain), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Iosefa Tekori, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Viliamu Afatia, 17 Motu Matu'u, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Mike Stanley, 23 Fa'atoina Autagavaia.
USA: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Thretton Palamo, 11 Chris Wyles (captain), 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Al McFarland, 5 Greg Peterson, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 1 Eric Fry.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Oli Kilifi, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Cam Dolan, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Shalom Suniula, 22 Folau Niua, 23 Brett Thompson.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton
Kick-off: 12.00 (11.00 GMT; 07.00 American Eastern Time; Monday September 21, 00.00 Samoa Time)
Predicted weather: Partly cloudy at a high of 17 Degrees Celcius with 69 percent chance of rain.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
