Braith Anasta says he and fiancée Rachael Lee are going through ‘tough period’ after split rumours

NRL star Braith Anasta has confirmed that he and his fiancée Rachael Lee are going through a ‘tough period’ after speculation the couple has split up.

The former Roosters player, 40, posted a statement to his Instagram page on Wednesday, writing: “Like many couples, we are going through a difficult period.”

He insisted the couple were not divorced, but “tried to work through this for us and, most importantly, for our beautiful family and wonderful children.”

“We have always been private and we ask for privacy during this time,” he added.

The statement comes when Rachael was spotted again without her engagement ring while out shopping in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

She was wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses when she got out of her car.

Rachael, who shares four-year-old daughter Gigi with the NRL star, had given several hints that the couple has broken up.

The personal trainer unfollowed her beau on Instagram and removed every mention of his name in her account bio.

She has also been spotted several times without her engagement ring and spent most of her free time partying with her friends and sister Bridgette.

Braith and Rachael also haven’t shared photos of each other on Instagram for a while.

While footy star Braith still follows Rachael’s account, he hasn’t shared a photo of the couple together since December of last year.

In August, Rachael was pictured with Braith wearing her ring at a charity event for the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation.

However, the pair didn’t pose side by side for a photo, instead Rachael chose to share photos of themselves arm-in-arm with other guests.

Rachael has been deeply involved with the charity after she was diagnosed with melanoma in 2020.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Rachael and Braith for comment.

The genetically blessed couple began dating in 2016 and welcomed their first child together, daughter Gigi, in January 2018.

Braith also has an eight-year-old daughter Aleeia with ex-wife Jodi Gordon, while Rachael has a son, Addison (11), from a previous relationship.

Rachael and Braith got engaged in 2019 but had to suspend their wedding plans due to the pandemic.

In January 2020, Rachael documented her trip to a wedding dress shop on Instagram.

At the time, she shared photos of herself trying on a glamorous dress by Sydney-based designer J.Andreatta.

The bride-to-be also revealed that she and Braith are considering having their wedding on a “Greek Island.”