Beale suspended after alleged rape charges
BREAKING NEWS: Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs have suspended Kurtley Beale from all forms of Rugby with immediate effect.
RA’s decision follows Beale’s arrest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offences and is in line with Rugby Australia’s Professional Player Code of Conduct the organisation stated in an official press release.
The veteran fullback, who returned to Australia last year after a stint with French Top 14 side Racing 92, was arrested and taken to a police station in Sydney.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph said he was expected to be charged over an alleged sexual assault at licensed premises in the beachside suburb of Bondi on December 17.
The RA added that: “The Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has been informed of this development.
“As this remains a legal matter, there will be no further comment until the conclusion of these proceedings.”
Australian fullback was arrested and taken to a police station in Sydney.#Rugby #rugby365
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 20, 2023
The Daily Telegraph reported that the woman, 28, was allegedly sexually assaulted in the toilets of the Beach Road Hotel on December 17.
She then reported the incident to police in the Tweed/Byron Bay district shortly afterwards, a police statement said.
The woman told police Beale had followed her into the pub bathroom and then allegedly forced her to perform a sex act, the Daily Telegraph reported.
It understood the alleged victim had previously known Beale and acknowledged each other in the pub prior to the alleged attack, but were not socialising together.
It’s understood detectives studied CCTV from the hotel during the month-long investigation before moving in to arrest Beale.
The Wallaby playmaker was arrested on Friday on his way home from training.
Beale, 34, returned to Sydney and the Waratahs to keep himself in the frame to play for Australia at a fourth World Cup this year.
Should he do so, he will join George Gregan and Adam Ashley-Cooper as only the third Australian to feature at four tournaments.
Beale has played 95 Tests and took part in a Wallabies training camp on the Gold Coast this month.
