Danny Levi explains exit from Samoa’s World Cup squad ahead of England clash

Danny Levi has explained his absence from the Samoa squad to face England.

The former Huddersfield Giants hooker wasn’t named in Matt Parish’s squad for the World Cup semi-final. Instead ex-Featherstone number nine Fa’amanu Brown was included with no explanation behind Levi’s absence.

However, the player himself has now taken to his Instagram account to detail why he won’t feature for the Samoans against England at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Levi has revealed he was forced to withdraw due to family reasons, with the tone of the message suggesting he won’t return even if Samoa make it to the final at Old Trafford next week.

It is a big blow for Parish and his team ahead of the crunch clash against the hosts, with Levi featuring in all four of Samoa’s matches up until this point after he was one of Super League’s standout players throughout the 2022 season.

Via his Instagram story, Levi said: “Hey guys unfortunately ealier this week I had to withdraw from the team due to some family issues that have been taken care of and I thank those who knew for the love and support! It was hard choice to make and would love nothing more than to go to war with my Uso’s, but I have absolutely love my time with my brothers and will be supporting my heart out for them all!!! So to all our Samoan brothers and sisters around the world let’s get behind our @toa_samoa_official team as they prepare for war!!!”