Advertisement

NRL stands firm on Jack de Belin after second jury discharged

Australian Associated Press
·2-min read
Dragons rugby league player Jack de Belin (centre).
St. George Illawarra Dragons rugby league player Jack de Belin (centre). (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

The NRL won't soften its stance on Jack de Belin, confirming he will remain stood down until his sexual assault case is officially complete.

De Belin's court proceedings were prolonged even further on Monday, when a jury was again unable to reach a verdict on four counts of sexual assault.

WOW: Israel Folau and wife's $1.5m move amid potential return to NRL

'NOT WHO I AM': Ex-teammate apologises for Jarryd Hayne comments

While he and co-accused Callan Sinclair were found not guilty on one charge, the prosecution will now confirm on May 28 if they push ahead for a third trial for the others.

De Belin has not played for St George Illawarra since before he was charged in December 2018, as part of the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy.

There had been some questions on Monday over whether de Belin could play as he awaited the next decision, after missing a total of 48 NRL games already.

But the league confirmed on Tuesday it would not entertain that idea, leaving de Belin's career further in limbo.

"The National Rugby League notes the conclusion of the NSW District Court trial involving St George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin," the NRL said in a statement.

"De Belin will remain subject to the No-Fault Stand Down while serious criminal charges remain against him."

De Belin training with part-time Dragons group

Questions remain over whether de Belin will be able to return to his best if he is eventually able to return, with his last game for the Dragons in September 2018.

Since then, the former NSW State of Origin lock has spent time training with the Dragons squad but this year moved to the part-time group.

The 30-year-old signed a new four-year deal with Dragons at the end of 2020 when his previous contract expired, after also fielding interest from the Warriors.

Part of the terms of the upgraded contact mean while de Belin is unavailable to play the big-money component is not activated, and he is instead being paid about $1,000 per week.

Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.