Rugby union star Kurtley Beale is open to a code switch to play league as he plots his sporting comeback.
The 35-year-old hasn’t played footy of any kind since being charged with rape and sexual touching without consent last January.
But a NSW District Court jury last week found him not guilty on all counts, leaving him free to pursue a sporting career once more.
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Speaking to 9News exclusively on Tuesday, Beale confirmed he would be open to trying the 13-man code.
“It’s a possibility,” he said.
“I’ve always been a big admirer of league. Growing up in Mt Druitt, Sydney west, but also there’s been an admiration throughout my career.
“Always watching league over the weekends and taking little bits from different players to add to my game.
“There is interest there, for both codes.”
While he’s been sidelined for more than a year, Beale has been training with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri in Sydney to maintain his fitness.
Beale’s age and relative inexperience in rugby league mean it will be hard for him to find a contract in the NRL – the world’s best competition in the code, although his top end playmaking talent could be tempting at the right price.
He says he is willing to venture overseas for an opportunity.
Beale played 95 Tests for the Wallabies but missed the chance to go to last year’s World Cup in France, given his rape trial was ongoing.
Reflecting on the incident that led to the charges against him, Beale admitted regret despite the not guilty verdicts. His focus is now on his wife and young family, with a second child on the way.
“I guess overall just relieved, now I can put the past year behind me,” he said.
“There’s certainly mistakes that I’m not proud of. They are huge work-ons for me, to be a better person going forward.
“I’m not a perfect person but I’ll be doing everything I can to take the right steps ahead with the relationships I have in my life.”