Kurtley Beale’s highly anticipated return to rugby with Randwick tinged with sadness after sudden death of his younger brother

Kurtley Beale’s return to rugby after a 14-month break will be tinged with sadness following the sudden death of his brother William on Thursday.

Former Wallabies star Beale, 35, boarded a flight to Queensland with his Randwick teammates with a heavy heart ahead of this weekend’s Australian club championship against the Brothers.

The cause of his sibling’s death is still unknown.

Both 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.

The sad family development comes as Beale prepares to lace up his boots again following a highly publicized sexual assault trial.

Last month, a jury in the NSW District Court acquitted Beale 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 seen wiping away tears and hugging his supporters after the verdict was handed down.

“I have always maintained my innocence,” he said.

‘My family and I have suffered and I am so glad the truth has come out.’

Beale was suspended from all forms of rugby since January 2023 due to the charges he faced.

It was also previously reported that the star was being looked at by NRL clubs, including the Bulldogs, as he looked to return to the field.