Kurtley Beale, a suspended rugby player, will go on trial in January on charges of sexually assaulting a woman following an alleged incident at a Sydney pub.
When the 34-year-old appeared in Downing Centre District Court on Friday, he formally entered a not guilty plea to one count of engaging in sexual activity without consent and two counts of engaging in sexual contact.
In June, a separate charge of encouraging someone else to engage in sexual contact with the accused victim was dropped.
Beale, who is out on bail, is accused of sexually assaulting the 28-year-old woman late on December 17 of last year and early on December 18 at the Beach Road Hotel close to Bondi Beach.
After the trial, the courts are anticipated to hear a new apprehended violence order against Beale.
The talented playmaker for the Wallabies and Waratahs has 95 caps for Australia.
As player of the year, he was awarded the 2011 John Eales Medal.
A week after he took part in a 44-man Wallabies training camp, Rugby Australia suspended Beale from all forms of rugby due to the legal proceedings in January.
After being left out of Dave Rennie’s team for the spring tour of Europe, Beale was anticipating a new lease on life under re-appointed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
After spending time with the French club Racing 92, Beale returned to Australia last year. He and his wife Maddi then welcomed the birth of their first baby in October.
Jones has frequently praised the veteran’s special abilities on the pitch.
Kurtley is the player with the most incredible gifts, he remarked.
He accomplishes feats that other athletes only dream of.
His next appearance in court will be on December 1 and his trial will be on January 15, 2024.
