28 May 2013

Beale returning to rugby at club level

10:25 am on 28 May 2013

The troubled Wallabies back Kurtley Beale is set to play for Randwick in Sydney club rugby this weekend after completing the first stage of counselling for his alcohol-related issues.

Earlier this month, 24-year-old Beale was stood down by his Super Rugby team the Melbourne Rebels for a second time this season, after breaching behavioural guidelines of a programme to deal with alcohol problems.

Beale then voluntarily entered a private health facility a fortnight ago, and the Australian Rugby Union, the Players' Association and the Rebels decided he should stay put in Sydney to complete the programme.

Beale didn't make the Wallabies preliminary squad of 25 for the three-test series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July, but the coach Robbie Deans will be selecting his final six members of the squad on June 11 and there is a first five eighth berth up for grabs.