Jack de Belin ‘free to play’ NRL opener, as player code hasn’t been enacted

NRL star Jack de Belin is free to play this season as he hasn’t yet been stood down over a rape charge, Federal Court told.

Jack de Belin has taken legal action to play in the NRL while he fights a sexual assault charge. Picture: Brett Costello

St George Illawarra Dragons star Jack de Belin will be allowed to play in the upcoming rugby league season because the NRL’s new no-fault policy has not yet been enforced, the Federal Court has heard.

However it could be short-lived as the policy, which allows the NRL to stand down a player without prejudice if they are charged with a serious criminal offence, will be officially enforced by next Thursday, at the start of the new season.

De Belin is suing the NRL and Australian Rugby League Commission over their representations that on February 28 he was suspended on full pay, having previously pleaded not guilty to raping a 19-year-old woman in Wollongong.

The NSW State of Origin lock claims they did not have the power to suspend him and that they engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

De Belin’s lawyer, Martin Einfeld QC, argued in the Federal Court today that reports from the official NRL website and comments from NRL chairman Peter Beattie falsely stated that three players had been stood down last week.

Mr Einfeld said the reports were “misleading” and sought to have the NRL issue a statement that de Belin had not been suspended as the rule had not yet been enacted.

“You can’t challenge a rule or a policy that hasn’t been made yet,” Justice Steven Rares told Mr Einfeld.

“The truth is, nothing is in place at the moment. It is damaging to him as a professional and as an individual.”

The matter is due back in court next Thursday, the same day the new NRL code is officially enforced.

“You can have your fight when the rule arises,” Justice Rares said.

De Belin, who did not attend court, is set to challenge the NRL’s new policy when it comes into effect and claim the ARLC made public comments which “formed a view” the 27-year-old was guilty of sexual assault and had “engaged in conduct that warranted his immediate suspension” from the club, court documents state.

St George Illawarra Dragons will play their first game on Saturday week, three days after the policy comes into effect.