Sititi was "disappointed" with Leota

Leota, who plays for Wasps in the English Premiership, made himself unavailable for the tournament because he would have lost out on about �21,000 in wages.

Wasps refused to pay Leota while he was in Australia for the 20-nation event - and the cash-strapped Samoan Rugby Union are unable to cover the cost.

But Sititi insisted he could not understand anyone wanting to miss out on playing in the sport's showpiece.

This is the pool of death, and we will be a big part of it Samoa captain Semo Sititi

"It was very disappointing and confusing to me," Sititi said as Samoa arrived in Perth ahead of their opening Pool C match with Uruguay.

"As captain, the chance to play in the World Cup is the ultimate, and so for someone to think of money before that is disappointing."

Samoa face Uruguay and Georgia in their first two games before coming up against group heavyweights England and South Africa.

"We have to get Uruguay and Georgia out of the way first. I believe this is the pool of death, and we will be a big part of it," Sititi said.

Samoa's World Cup pedigree

"We have been to the quarter-finals in the past - now we want to go one better and make it to the semis."