Kurtley Beale has been suspended by Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs following his arrest and charges related to sexual assault allegations in Kingsford, Australia, the union announced in a statement.
CNN has been unable to contact Beale or his representatives for further comment.
Beale was detained in connection with an incident where a 28-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a venue on Beach Road, Bondi Beach, on December 17, 2022.
New South Wales Police, while not naming Beale, confirmed the arrest of a 33-year-old man on Friday afternoon. The man has been charged with two counts of sexual touching without consent, incitement to sexual touching without consent, and sexual intercourse without consent.
The individual was denied bail and is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on January 21. In response to Beale’s arrest and the serious charges, Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs have announced his suspension from all rugby activities, effective immediately. This suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of legal proceedings and Rugby Australia’s internal investigations.
Beale, who debuted for the Wallabies in 2009 and was recently named to their training squad for this year’s World Cup, has had an important career. He began playing professionally in 2007 and has spent the majority of his career with the NSW Waratahs, including a recent return for the 2023 Super Rugby season after a stint with French club Racing 92.