"I want to clarify my situation and subsequent withdrawal from the Samoan RLWC team," Asotasi said in the statement. "Through unforeseen family circumstances and ongoing niggling injuries that we tried to manage, I felt it was best to step down from the World Cup Samoan squad, rather than travel knowing I couldn't give 100 per cent.
"I am gutted not to be representing Samoa and playing against the world's best rugby league players.We still have a very strong squad and I wish the boys all the best for the tournament. I'll be cheering the boys on here 100 per cent, watching every game live knowing that my decision was what was best for the team and for my family."
But that official statement contradicts earlier comments from RLWC spokesman Martin Johnson saying Asotasi had been cut from the Samoa squad after they had incorrectly named a 26-man squad and had to omit two players in accordance with tournament rules.
"We weren't expecting him to arrive, so it wasn't like he missed the plane or got left behind or anything like that," Johnson said. "From our point of view, we weren't expecting him, because he wasn't in their revised squad when we told them they couldn't have 26 and had to have 24."
Asotasi is due to head to England shortly to take up a two-year contract with Super League outfit Warrington Wolves. AAP
