South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva’a has been suspended from the NRL indefinitely, and will not play another game in the competition until at least Round 22 next year – after a Melbourne court magistrate imposed a $3000 fine and a two year good behaviour bond for attacking his former girlfriend last year.
The NRL have warned Auva’a that he faces a permanent ban from the NRL should he be convicted of another act of domestic violence, and the game’s governing body have insisted they will not consider any application to re-register Auva’a for at least nine months – ruling him out of the first 22 rounds of the NRL season in 2015.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith has said that Auva’a must complete a counselling program adapted to his needs – and that this kind of behaviour will not tolerated in the game.
“Let me make it clear … we abhor violence against women and it will not be tolerated in our game,” Smith said.
“Everyone needs to understand that if you are violent against women, there is no place for you in rugby league. We recognise that we also have a duty to help with rehabilitation where incidents occur and that is why it will be a condition of his return that Kirisome completes appropriate prevention treatment.”
South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson said the club would continue to support Auva’a.
“As a club, we take a very serious view on domestic violence,” Richardson said. “Kirisome has now received punishments from three different bodies and we will continue to ensure he is educated and supported so as to never commit an offence like this again.
“Kirisome is well aware that what happened in January was wrong, and he has shown contrition and a willingness to try and right his wrongs since day one on this matter. We are confident that this will be the only incident in which we see him involved.”
