THE Samoan rugby team - who are based in Brighton for the world cup - have said they don't want to leave.

Star player Faifili Levave has said his team have been enjoying the cultural and social side of the city ahead of their opening game on Sunday.

But the players have been sipping coffees in fancy cafes and attending church rather than anything more riotous as they enjoy life by the sea.

Levave gave the city some far-reaching free publicity with a tweet showing some players enjoying the North Laine on an afternoon off.

His tweet, highlighting Brighton’s “very funky-cool vibe” was favourited 67 times – mainly on the other side of the world.

It was also picked up on by international media including influential French sports newspaper L’Equipe.

Levave told The Argus: “A group of us have been getting out and about.

“There are about ten of us from Wellington in New Zealand, which is known for its cafes.

“We love our cafes and there is a real cool vibe about Brighton.

“Anywhere around The Lanes or North Laine is cool.

“I’m doing a business management degree so that’s my freshener away from rugby.

“I’ll find myself a cafe in Brighton, park up, do some study and be there for quite a while.

“I like getting out of the hotels – hence why I’m loving Brighton.”

The Samoans have been popular visitors as they prepare for the World Cup.

They have been out around town, mixed with hotel guests, posed on wedding photos and even sung in church.

They tweeted a video of themselves singing traditional Samoan songs while stuck in Lewes Road traffic jams.

But, even for a 6ft 4in, 17-and-a-half stone forward, one destination is off limits.

“I haven’t made my way down the pier,” Levave said.

“I’m told there are good some donuts down there, hence why I don’t want to head down there.”

The 29-year-old stressed fans will see a finely tuned team in action at the Amex when they face the USA tomorrow.

They then head off to their next base in Birmingham.

He said: “Ben Franks of the All Blacks texted me and asked when I was actually going to start training.

“But there’s a balance. We’re not here on holiday.

“If an athlete is mentally fresh, he will perform better. Hopefully that’s what we have done.

“But we don’t really want to leave Brighton.”