Saturday saw the return of Australia international Kurtley Beale to the rugby field after more than 14 months, as he participated in the Australian Club Championship in Brisbane. This marked his first game since being found not guilty of rape by a Sydney court a month ago. Beale had been suspended from all rugby following his arrest in December 2022, which unfortunately also ruled him out of playing in a fourth World Cup for the Wallabies in France last year.
During his suspension, Beale’s contract with the New South Wales Waratahs expired. However, on Saturday, he donned the green shirt of Randwick as they faced Brothers in the annual clash between the club champions of Sydney and Brisbane. Despite the recent passing of his brother William, Beale flew up to Queensland on Friday to take part in the championship.
Playing as a flyhalf against Lawson Creighton from the Queensland Reds, Beale showcased his fitness and skill in the hour he was on the field. Although Randwick ended up losing 25-18 at Crosby Park, Beale’s talent was evident to all observers.
A teenage prodigy who was earmarked as a future Wallabies flyhalf from a young age, Beale has accumulated 95 caps for Australia in various positions since making his debut in 2009. Despite the challenges he has faced, Beale expressed in a recent interview his continued desire to represent his country and his goal of becoming the first indigenous Australian to reach 100 Wallabies caps.
With Beale’s return to competitive rugby, fans will be eager to see how he progresses and whether he can achieve his ambitious milestone in the future. His resilience and determination have been on full display, and there is hope that he can once again contribute significantly to the Australian national team.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Stephen Coates)
