Kurtley Beale ‘still has so much to offer’ in promising rugby return just days after younger brother’s death as former Wallaby makes first appearance since sexual assault trial ordeal

Kurtley Beale made a promising return to rugby in his first appearance since his career-derailing sexual assault ordeal.

Beale, 35, was acquitted by a jury in the NSW District Court of one count of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexual touching.

The jury took just an hour to reach its verdict over the alleged incident, which a woman claimed took place in December 2022 at the Beach Road Hotel in Sydney’s east.

Beale was suspended from all forms of rugby from January 2023 as a result of the charges, but played for Randwick in a 25-18 loss to Brothers in Brisbane on Saturday.

It was an emotional day for the 35-year-old, who wore a black armband following the death of his younger brother William on Thursday.

The cause of his sibling’s death is unknown.

Beale showed glimpses of his ability in a 55-minute display for Randwick against the Queensland champions in the Australia Club Championship.

Randwick released a statement before the game saying they did not expect him to start, but Beale insisted on playing in Brisbane.

“Obviously our club did not expect Kurtley to play today in his long awaited comeback match for Randwick v Brothers in the Australian Club Championship in Brisbane,” Randwick general manager Mark Harrison said.

Former Wallabies teammate Drew Mitchell was in attendance and paid tribute to Beale on Instagram.

‘Proud of this guy!!’ he wrote alongside a photo of a grinning Beale. ‘Nice to see that smile again.

‘Playing 2 days after the passing of his younger brother, Fulla, was a testament to how much this goal of his importance means to him.

‘Not only did he play, but he showed that he still has so much to offer!’

Both Kurtley and William attended St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill as youngsters but went their separate ways.

Kurtley thrived at the boarding school and went on to represent the Wallabies, but his younger brother struggled with being away from his family and eventually chose to leave the prestigious private school in Sydney.