South Sydney centre Kirisome Auva’a has been suspended from the NRL indefinitely.

The NRL released a statement late on Thursday afternoon, saying 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 assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Melbourne back 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 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.

Souths had initially fined Auva’a $2000 and suspended him for seven days when the club was made aware of the incident earlier in the year.

At the time it 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 the 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.

“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.”

Smith added that if Auva’a re-offended he would be banned from the game permanently.