South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva’a has copped an indefinite suspension from the NRL following last week’s guilty plea for the reckless assault of his girlfriend.
The NRL suspended Auva’a for nine months and handed him an additional indefinite suspension on Thursday, rubbing out the 22-year-old until at least round 23 next season.
“Let me make it clear … we abhor violence against women and it will not be tolerated in our game,” NRL chief executive Dave 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.”
Auva’a pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury and criminal damage to his girlfriend in January. The Melbourne magistrate also hit the player with a $3000 fine and a two-year good behaviour bond. He will miss the Auckland Nines and the Rabbitohs’ pre-season training camp in Arizona, and be required to complete a secondary counselling programs on violence against women, alcohol abuse and anger management.
Despite the lengthy ban, the premiers say they will continue to back the second-year player.
“The NRL has now made its determinations on this issue and, as a Club, we support the stance it has taken in this case,” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said.
“We will work closely with Kirisome on his rehabilitation, as we have since the incident occurred back in January.
“As a club, we take a very serious view on domestic violence. 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.”
Photo: Renee McKay/Getty Images.
