League: Centre of exit speculation

Dane Nielsen could be on his way out of the Warriors after two lacklustre seasons. Photo / Getty

Dane Nielsen could have played his last game for the Warriors, as the club considers an offer from a rival NRL club.

At the same time, the Warriors could be in the market for Rabbitohs centre Kirisome Auva'a, although news of an alcohol-fuelled assault on his ex-girlfriend last January might dampen interest.

Nielsen's departure wouldn't come as a massive shock, as he was linked with Super League club Hull before the deal fell through earlier this year. The former Storm centre has not lived up to expectations at Mt Smart.

He brought a degree of defensive solidity (just nine missed tackles in 17 games) to the Warriors' troublesome edge defence, without setting the world on fire in 2013. But he struggled this year, failing to score a single try and spending time in reserve grade.

There have been contributing factors - he has been affected by injury and his time at the club coincided with coaching upheavals - but his output hasn't been what you would expect from a former State of Origin representative who has more than 100 matches to his credit.

He has scored two tries in two seasons, after averaging seven in each of his last three years in Melbourne.

He also damaged goodwill when he missed a training session after the round eight victory over the Storm, apparently after a drunken bender that weekend.

Nielsen was disciplined by the club and stood down for an indefinite period by coach Andrew McFadden.

Meanwhile, Auva'a, considered unlucky to miss the Kiwis' Four Nations squad, is on the market.

Despite having a breakthrough season with Souths and featuring in the historic grand final win, the 22-year-old rookie has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Several teams have expressed an interest in the Samoa-born player, including the Warriors.

Auva'a would be a more-than-handy addition at Mt Smart. He combined well with Alex Johnston, scored eight tries and managed five try assists.

But he could be suspended from the start of next year's NRL season after pleading guilty to an alcohol-fuelled assault on his ex-girlfriend last January.

The Rabbitohs centre avoided a conviction but was handed a two-year good behaviour bond and made to pay $3000 to a Melbourne court fund after pleading guilty to recklessly causing injury, assault and criminal damage. The NRL want to meet Souths officials to discuss further sanctions, and could suspend Auva'a from matches next season and issue a further fine.

The NRL fined Sharks captain Paul Gallen A$50,000 for aiming the c-bomb at the people in power at NRL headquarters last month and the NRL also refused to register a contract for ex-Raiders winger Blake Ferguson for more than 12 months after he was found guilty of groping a woman midway through last year.

Auva'a has a two-year deal at the Rabbitohs which expires at the end of next season. But a clause in his contract (triggered when he reached 20 games this season) means he can go to the market and be offered a deal Souths would struggle to match. Additional reporting

- Sunday Telegraph, Sydney