Kirisome Auva'a stood down by the NRL

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been made aware of, and support, the sanctions handed down by the NRL today in relation to player Kirisome Auva'a.

The NRL has suspended Auva'a indefinitely and he 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 has said it will not consider an application from Auva'a to have his suspension lifted for at least nine months.

The Rabbitohs would like to make it clear that the Club condemns any form of domestic violence.

"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 our duties 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." 

The Rabbitohs have no further comment to make on this matter.