Watch Kurtley Beale give emotional speech after returning to top-tier Australian rugby for the first time in FOUR YEARS following rape trial ordeal

  • Kurtley Beale was emotional on Saturday 
  • The 35-year-old played for the Western Force 
  • Beale has had a long journey back to rugby 

By Ollie Lewis

Published: | Updated:

Kurtley Beale could not hold back his emotions as the veteran rugby star was welcomed back to the top level of his sport over the weekend.

Beale, 35, rolled back the years with an impressive performance for the Western Force to help his side secure an upset 37-15 win over the Crusaders in Perth, the first time they have beaten their rivals in 11 years.

That result lifted the club from the bottom of the Super Rugby table and also marked Beale's first top-tier domestic game in Australia for over four years.


He had enjoyed a spell with French club Racing 92 before being embroiled in legal proceedings after being accused of rape.

In February, Beale was found not guilty of raping a woman in Bondi's Beach Road Hotel bathrooms in 2022, and has worked hard to resume his playing career.

Beale's voice was quavering as he gave his speech
Beale played well in his first game for the Force

Kurtley Beale was emotional after receiving his Western Force cap over the weekend

The Force released a video of Beale receiving his cap from Force coach Simon Cron and he could not contain his emotions.

'Wow, this is pretty emotional for me,' he said, his voice quavering.

'I've been out of the game for a year and a bit. I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long, long time and I'm just so glad that it's with a great club like the Force and with a great bunch of men like you blokes.

'It's just awesome to be a part of the group and thank you to the club for welcoming my family. We absolutely love it here and we're looking forward to adding to the club and to the group and hopefully make a special season.

'So thank you.'

Beale rolled back the years in his first game in Super Rugby for over four years

Beale rolled back the years in his first game in Super Rugby for over four years

After the game, Force captain Nic White paid tribute to Beale and said his leadership was hugely influential in securing the win. 

'I'm going to give a lot of credit to that to KB,' White told Stan Sport.

'The voice KB brought as soon as he came in - it would have been easy to come in and stay quiet, he's new to this system.

'But he stepped straight in to being a real leader and a guy who benefited from that voice is Donno.'

Perth