Kirisome Auva'a

Born in Motootua, Samoa, Auva'a moved to New Zealand and played his junior football for the Otahuhu Rovers. Auva'a then moved to Australia as a teenager and attended Ipswich Grammar School in Queensland and played rugby league for the Norths Ipswich Tigers. He represented the Australian A Schoolboys rugby union side.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/archivearticle/?article=2340 |access-date=4 February 2016 |title=New Zealand Schoolboys too strong for Australia A |publisher=Rugby News |date=7 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114246/http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/archivearticle/?article=2340 |archive-date=6 October 2014}}

Auva'a was signed by the Melbourne Storm, playing in their Under-20s team from 2010 to 2012{{cite web |url=http://rleague.com/players/Kirisome-Auvaa_2813/Stats/ |title=Kirisome Auva'a Player |publisher= |date= |access-date=4 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091620/http://rleague.com/players/Kirisome-Auvaa_2813/Stats/ |archive-date=6 October 2014}} before joining the Storm's first grade squad. While playing for Melbourne's NYC side, Auva'a represented Queensland Under 18's in 2010, making him eligible for the senior Queensland Origin team, and was the 18th man for Queensland in the inaugural Under 20's Origin game in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://rleague.com/forum/horse-racing/Queensland-Under-18-Origin-Team_22672/ |title=Queensland Under 18 Origin Team |access-date=4 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070603/http://rleague.com/forum/horse-racing/Queensland-Under-18-Origin-Team_22672/ |archive-date=6 October 2014}}

File:kirisomeauvaa.jpg-Sharks combined team in 2013]]

In 2013, Auva'a played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in their 2013 New South Wales Cup Grand Final victory over the Windsor Wolves.{{cite web|author=Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/cronulla-sharks-overpower-windsor-wolves-to-claim-nsw-cup-title-20131006-2v1z7.html|title=Cronulla Sharks overpower Windsor Wolves to claim NSW Cup title|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2013-10-06|access-date=2015-11-14}} Auva'a is the cousin of fellow South Sydney Rabbitohs teammate Hymel Hunt.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/family-a-central-issue-for-hunt/tabid/10874/newsid/93096/default.aspx|title=Family a central issue for Hunt|publisher=NRL.com|date=2016-02-21|access-date=2016-02-25}}

In 2014, Auva'a joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In Round 6 of the 2014 NRL season, Auva'a made his NRL debut for South Sydney against the Penrith Panthers, playing at {{rlp|CE}} and scoring a try in South Sydney's 18-2 win at Penrith Stadium.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/11/late_mail_team_changes_rd_6_2014.html|title=Late Mail & Team Changes - Rd 6, 2014|publisher=Rabbitohs|date=2014-04-11|access-date=2015-11-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-supercoach-round-eight-teams-analysis-double-dose-of-good-news-at-rabbitohs/story-fni3fs14-1226892734312|title=Double Dose of Good News at Rabbitohs|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-14}} His season was interrupted by the repercussions of the domestic violence incident in January, but with the magistrate's deferral of her decision for six months, Auva'a was free to resume playing. On 5 October 2014, in South Sydney's 2014 NRL Grand Final against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Auva’a played at centre and scored a try in Souths 30-6 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-win-2014-nrl-grand-final-defeating-canterbury-bulldogs-306/story-fni3fbgz-1227080755667|title=Rabbitohs Win 2014 NRL Grand Final Defeating Bulldogs 30-6|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/rabbitohs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82375/default.aspx|title=Rabbitohs Grand Final Player Ratings|publisher=NRL.com|date=2014-10-05|access-date=2015-11-14}}

On 30 June, Auva'a was cleared by the NRL to play in South Sydney's NSW Cup feeder team North Sydney Bears.{{cite web|author=James MacSmith|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/south-sydney-rabbitohs/south-sydney-rabbitohs-centre-kirisome-auvaa-cleared-to-return-after-domestic-violence-ban-20150630-gi1xkn.html|title=South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva'a cleared to return after domestic violence ban|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2015-06-30|access-date=2015-11-14}} He made his return to the Rabbitohs' first-grade squad in Round 23 against the North Queensland Cowboys in the Rabbitohs' 31-18 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/kirisome-auvaa-likely-to-return-from-domestic-violence-suspension-against-cowboys/story-fni3gki8-1227471045386|title=Kirisome Auvaa Likely to Return from Domestic Violence Suspension against Cowboys|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-14|date=2015-08-05}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2015-rabbitohs-rediscover-their-best-as-cowboys-stumble-to-back-to-back-defeats/story-fn2mcuj6-1227482260423|title=Rabbitohs Rediscover their Best as Cowboys Stumble to Back to Back Defeats|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-11-14}} He finished the 2015 season having played in 5 matches for the Rabbitohs.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTItMTY2MC00LS0tLS0tMjAyNTQtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-22|access-date=2015-12-26}} On 14 November, he re-signed on a three-year contract to the end of the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/rabbitohs-re-sign-kirisom-auvaa-19691/#P4qg1MTSy73YVvUC.97|title=Rabbitohs re-sign Kirisom Auva'a | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2015-11-14|access-date=2015-11-14}}

In February, Auva'a played for South Sydney in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|author=|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/rabbitohs-name-2016-nines-squad/|title=Rabbitohs name 2016 Nines squad|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=|access-date=2016-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204205430/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/rabbitohs-name-2016-nines-squad/|archive-date=2016-02-04|url-status=dead}} On 7 May, he made his international debut for Samoa against Tonga in the 2016 Polynesian Cup, where he played at centre in the 18-6 win at Parramatta Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/samoa-too-good-for-tonga-in-fiery-pacific-test-clash-at-pirtek-stadium/news-story/aa55d4e66b709a32a0637457807f329e|title=Samoa too good for Tonga in fiery Pacific Test clash at Pirtek Stadium|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|date=2016-05-07|access-date=2016-05-08}} Auva’a finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 13 matches and scoring three tries for South Sydney.

Kirisome signed a one-year deal with the Parramatta Eels starting in 2017. He made his debut against the New Zealand Warriors in Round 6 after Bevan French was ruled out with injury. On 24 August 2017, Auva'a scored the fastest try in NRL history when he pounced on a loose pass from the kickoff against the Brisbane Broncos, the try was timed at 12.88 seconds{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/parramatta-eels-centre-kirisome-auvaa-scores-fastest-ever-nrl-try-against-broncos/news-story/9b846ea3ed9a2f5f6b62d2681f253a59|title=Watch: Fastest try in NRL history|date=24 August 2017|website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=16 March 2019}}

Auva'a was included in Parramatta's starting lineup for the first six rounds of the season before suffering a rib injury against Canberra in Round 6 and was ruled out indefinitely.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/23/parramatta-eels-to-lose-jarryd-hayne-for-a-month/|title=Parramatta Eels to lose Jarryd Hayne for a month|date=23 April 2018|website=National Rugby League|access-date=16 March 2019}}

On 30 August, Auva'a announced his retirement from rugby league at the age of 26. Auva'a spoke to the media saying "My back has been bad for several years and even after surgery a couple of years ago, I’ve had problem after problem, I’m thinking about quality of life after football and it’s a tough call but I believe it to be the right one, I’ve only managed a handful of games this season and it has been tough".{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/injuries-force-26yo-parramatta-eels-player-kirisome-auvaa-into-retirement/news-story/24b94ea33962b1726d09b6cc97840a29|title=Kirisome Auva'a retires from NRL, Parramatta Eels|date=31 August 2018|website=foxsports.com.au|access-date=16 March 2019}}

On 28 May 2014, Auva'a entered a guilty plea to charges of recklessly causing injury and criminal damage in Melbourne Magistrates Court after being arrested for a violent attack in the early hours of January 18. After drinking heavily at a wedding, he threw his ex-girlfriend against a garage wall and punched holes in the walls of her home. South Sydney fined him $2,000 and suspended him for 7 days. The magistrate, who described the incident as "devastating", deferred her decision for six months; Auva'a was bailed to return to court in November,{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/rising-rabbitohs-star-kirisome-auvaa-in-court-after-bashing-a-woman-after-a-wedding-in-melbourne/story-fni0fee2-1226934747767|title=No CookiesHerald Sun|publisher=Heraldsun.com.au|date=2013-03-22|access-date=2015-11-14}} when he was given a two-year good behaviour bond and a fine of $3,000.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/rabbitohs/rabbitohs-centre-kirisome-auvaa-has-been-cleared-to-return-to-playing-in-the-nsw-cup/news-story/955aafedf2ab8e6eebbf6df4991dd09d|title=Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva'a has been cleared to return to playing in the NSW Cup|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 June 2015|access-date=29 January 2016}} On 13 November 2014, Auva'a was handed a 9-month suspension by the NRL, ending with round 22 of the 2015 season, and ordered to complete a secondary prevention counselling program covering issues including violence against women, alcohol abuse and anger management.{{cite web|author=Brad Walter|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/south-sydney-rabbitohs-centre-kirisome-auvaa-suspended-from-the-nrl-indefinitely-20141114-11maoo.html|title=South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva'a suspended from the NRL indefinitely|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2014-11-14|access-date=2015-11-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/kirisome-auvaa-to-be-banned-from-rabbitohs-training-camp-in-arizona-after-calls-for-more-action-over-assault-charges/story-fnp0lyn3-1227120943967|title=Kirisome Auvaa to be Banned from Rabbitohs Training Camp in Arizona after Calls for More Action over Assault Charges|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-14|date=2014-11-12}} An attempt by Auva'a to have his suspension lifted early was denied by the NRL.

On 13 July 2016, Auva’a was sacked by the Rabbitohs for a second breach of the NRL’s Testing Policy for illicit substances. Auva’a is the second Rabbitohs player this week to have his contract terminated after forward Paul Carter was let go on Tuesday for breaching the club’s code of conduct. While Auva’a, did not return a positive test for an illicit or hazardous substance in this instance, he contravened the rules as set out in the NRL Policy. Under the terms of the policy, the Rabbitohs had the right to terminate the troubled star’s contract for a second breach. In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, South Sydney said they would "continue to offer welfare assistance and support to Kirisome".{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/rabbitohs/kirisome-auvaa-sacked-by-south-sydney-rabbitohs/news-story/28c6a73d4cd24abc1740bbe33536d257 |title=Kirisome Auva'a sacked by South Sydney Rabbitohs |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 July 2016 |access-date=18 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/souths-auvaa-allegedly-records-nrl-drug-policy-strike/86fab736-09e5-49a1-90e0-08a22c2b0ecc|title=Souths star's 'second strike' - Nine Wide World of Sports|website=wwos.nine.com.au|access-date=16 March 2019}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://www.parraeels.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/parramatta-eels/kirisome-auvaa/ Parramatta Eels profile]
• [http://www.parraeels.com.au/team/profiles/kirisome_auva_a.html Eels profile]

{{South Sydney Rabbitohs squad - 2014 NRL premiers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Auva'a, Kirisome}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ipswich Jets players

Category:North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players

Category:Otahuhu Leopards players

Category:Parramatta Eels players

Category:People educated at Ipswich Grammar School

Category:Rugby league centres

Category:Rugby league players from Apia

Category:Samoa national rugby league team players

Category:Samoan emigrants to Australia

Category:Samoan emigrants to New Zealand

Category:Samoan rugby league players

Category:Samoan rugby union players

Category:South Sydney Rabbitohs players

Category:Wentworthville Magpies players