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 sexual abuse ordeal which derailed his career.

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

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

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

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

Beale played for Randwick and showed glimpses of his incredible talent

The cause of his sibling’s death is unknown.

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

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

“Our club clearly did not expect Kurtley to play today in his long-awaited comeback match for Randwick against 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.

Kurtley Beale’s return to rugby after a fourteen-month hiatus was tinged with sadness following the sudden death of his brother William (pictured right) on Thursday

Beale was acquitted by a NSW District Court jury of sexually assaulting a woman in a Bondi hotel

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

“To play two days after the death of his little brother Fulla was a testament to how much this goal of his means to him.

‘Not only has he played, but he has also shown that he still has so much to offer!’

Both Kurtley and William attended St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill as youngsters, but took different paths.

Kurtley thrived at boarding school, representing the Wallabies, but his younger brother struggled to be away from his family and eventually chose to leave the prestigious private school in Sydney.