South Sydney centre Kirisome Auva’a has been banned from the NRL for at least nine months, following his domestic violence conviction.
The NRL said in a statement the grand-final-winning back would not be allowed to return to the game “until he has demonstrated behavioural change designed to prevent the recurrence of violent behaviour toward women.”
Last week Auva’a was found guilty of having assaulted his ex-girlfriend in Melbourne, in January but was spared a conviction.
“Auva’a will be required to complete a secondary prevention counselling program adapted to his particular needs and covering issues including violence against women, alcohol abuse and anger management,” the NRL statement read.
“The NRL will not consider an application from Auva’a to have his suspension lifted for at least nine months. His suitability to return to the game will be determined by an NRL panel which will rigorously review his progress.”
The penalty is a hefty one – meaning he will not be back playing rugby league until at least round 23 of the 2015 season.
Auva’a had pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury when he went to court last week.
Souths had initially fined him $2000 and suspended him for seven days when made aware of the incident earlier in the year.
The Rabbitohs said in a statement on Thursday they supported the NRL’s stance.
“We will work closely with Kirisome on his rehabilitation, as we have since the incident occurred back in January,” CEO Shane Richardson said.
“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 our duties to ensure he is educated and supported so as to never commit an offence like this again.”
Auva’a had been in Melbourne in January for a wedding when he visited his former partner’s home and shoved her to the ground and then swung her into a garage door when he was told he had to sleep on the couch.
While he pleaded guilty to the charge back in May the incident did not attract a large amount of attention because Auva’a was a fringe player with the club.
But he went on to cement a regular spot in the Rabbitohs’ starting side and was an integral part of their first premiership win in 43 years.
The NRL came under fire in some media circles because of a perceived lack of action over the issue but NRL boss Dave Smith maintained the sport’s governing body was allowing due process and was awaiting the court’s decision before imposing any further penalty.
Smith said in Thursday’s statement that any type of violence against women was simply wrong.
“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.”
Smith added that if Auva’a re-offended he would be banned from the game permanently.
Former NSW winger Blake Ferguson is still waiting to find out whether he will be re-registered by the NRL after being found guilty of groping a woman in 2013.
Ferguson, who also had no conviction recorded, has just been allowed to train with the Sydney Roosters but has not been re-registered by the NRL.
Two years ago Queensland Cowboys halfback Robert Lui was suspended for most of the 2012 season after pleading guilty to the assault of his partner the previous year.
Johnk
Guest
Huh? The length of suspension is mainly due to the NRL's tough stance on violence against WOMEN, and the length is rightfully so (although I believe he should of got the whole year). I kinda get what you talking about but it still ultimately makes no sense.
Johnk
Guest
Don't forget Birdy!
Glenn Innes
Guest
An important correction, he did not receive a suspended sentence he received a good behaviour bond, a suspended gaol sentence is a far more serious punishment and you would not receive a suspended gaol sentence and have no conviction recorded.The magistrate clearly felt this matter was pretty benign in the general scheme of things.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
He should have been suspended for the year from the time of admitted guilt.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I'm cross with Rothfield for claiming he was the one with his Newspaper who forced the NRL to take action, talk about pumping yourself up, I wonder if any of his Journalist friends, acquaintances or enemies have bashed women & if he reported them, remember women bashes come from all walks in life.
Parafan
Guest
Craig I think that is the way with the new integrity commission. Clubs try to deal with the matter in house to limit the effect of possible sanctions from the Intergrity commission, or at least lessen the severity of the sentence. Similar thing happened with nathan peats where parra gave him a fine and suspended him, however the nrl imposed a further one game ban. So I guess that's the risk you take if you want to preempt the NRL. 3 sanctions instead of 2.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Hi parafan I understand the process and what happened but just think that in most cases 1 punishment is enough but when a court has made a ruling I also understand that the nrl can/will/should also give a punishment - I just think that two is enough. I think that the initial one from Souths was premature and they should have waited for the court process to finish and then just fine and/or suspend him once. It looks to me like the club and the nrl were not coordinated in dealing with this.
Christian
Guest
Worst reply ever
Matt
Guest
Hardly. "Men and women are equal", they're going in the totally wrong direction when punishments are getting dished out with gender playing a MASSIVE factor. Would he have even be suspended at all if it was a brother? Maybe a fine and a week off. Potstirrer - you've made the point :) The is no way in the world an NRL player would be suspended for 9 months for this had it been a guy. Huge double standards at play. It's no wonder males have such a hard time when they're on the receiving end of rape & abuse, society has a very skewed view on a lot of gender issues. He is a big unit and I doubt many guys would want to be hit by him. The punishment should be the same no matter the gender.
rossco
Guest
Then what about Greg Bird glassing his girlfriend? Remember Lui got his suspension after his second offence (this was Avau'u first) and Ferguson after many indiscretions.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Robert Lui 's 1 year suspension set the precedent. Anything less is too soft.
Parafan
Guest
Hi Craig. There is a very good article by Sean just over here http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/11/14/the-truth-and-hearsay-in-the-kirisome-auvaa-case/ The souths punished Auva'a in pre season 2014, missing 1 week of training and a relatively small monetary fine. The incident was reported to the integrity commission who at Smiths discretion did not take any action until the completion of the criminal case against Auva'a. (It seems the NRL have learnt their lesson regarding due process from the Brett Stewart matter). The criminal proceedings against Auva'a required a punishment, being a suspended sentence and no conviction recorded (pretty lenient). At the completion of the criminal case Auva'a is then suspended by the NRL for a possible 9 months. It is well within the NRL's power to suspend players who break their code of conduct, or bring the game into disrepute. Sure that is three different punishments but put in context they seem fair. South as his employer preemptively fined him and stood him down and considering he later plead guilty, I'm sure there was talks with the club about his actions. The courts decision to impose a suspended sentence is completely separate to whatever his club/the NRL want to do. Put simply Auva'a assualted his partner and was charged with the offence. Having all the facts the NRL has imposed a further fine, which they are well to do considering they are the governing body of the NRL, and there would be some sort of clause in Auva'a contract with the NRL regarding player conduct and the penalty for breaking any such clause. The 9 months is in line with previous suspensions for players found guilty of domestic assault charges. So my opinion, put in context the punishment fits the crime. Hopefully it will act as a deterrent to any other player/official who thinks it is alright to assault anyone, whether they be male, female or a child.
Renegade
Roar Guru
What do you mean from now on?? Google - Robert Lui or Black Ferguson.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Your comparing apples with oranges champ
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
This is in no way defending Auva's but how many times should players be penalised for an indescretion? Auva'a was fined when the incident happened, then given a fine and suspended sentance by the court and now suspended from playing by the NRL. It is all well and good to say he deserves to be punished - because he does - but how many times? I would have thought once was enough but can accept once by the court and once by the club/NRL but three punishments? Try doing that to someone who is not a footballer
pot stirrer
Guest
Whats your point, its about Domestic Violence against women from what i understand
pot stirrer
Guest
Whats your point ?
pot stirrer
Guest
Throw in Ingliss,Lui,Teo and u have the Basis of a very good team.
rossco
Guest
Interesting the comments by Judge Paul Conlon on this decision. He described it as 'ridiculous', having read the full transcript of the case. However the bar is set and any player who transgresses from now on has the receive the same treatment. Don't hold your breath though!
Matt
Guest
If he'd pushed his brother into a door would be be suspended for 9 months?