Jack de Belin will play his first game of rugby league in more than two years on Saturday, ending an exile from the sport while he defended rape charges that are set to be withdrawn.
St George Illawarra expect to register a new contract for de Belin with the NRL on Friday to begin his path back into first grade once the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions withdraws charges at a hearing.
It will bring to an end a tumultuous period for all involved in the high-profile case.
Two trials failed to reach a verdict on de Belin, 30, and co-accused, Callan Sinclair, 24, on charges relating to an alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in Wollongong in December, 2018.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has vowed that abuse or vilification of Jack de Belin won t be tolerated as the St George Illawarra forward prepares to make his rugby league return.
02:43 EDT, 14 April 2021
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The jury in NRL star Jack de Belin s sexual assault trial has been dismissed within an hour of proceedings starting after a juror complained about the day rate they receive.
The St George Illawarra Dragons forward, 30, and friend Callan Sinclair, 23, have pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in December, 2018 in Wollongong.
The trial had seen the previous jury discharged after failing to come to a unanimous verdict in December last year, and the court will now have to interview another set of potential jurors on Wednesday.
Jack de Belin, 30, and friend Callan Sinclair, 23, have pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in December, 2018 in Wollongong