Wallabies rugby union player Kurtley Beale has been granted bail in Sydney after he was charged over an alleged sexual assault at a pub in Sydney's east last month.
Mr Beale fronted Parramatta Bail Court via video link from Surry Hills police station wearing a white zip-up sweatshirt.
His wife, father-in-law and two sisters also attended court to show support, his lawyer Stephen Stanton said.
The charge comes after the 34-year-old was arrested in Kingsford about 2:30pm on Friday, following reports received by police that a 28-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at the Beach Road Hotel, in Bondi, on December 17.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station where he was charged with two counts of sexually touching another person without consent, inciting another to sexually touch them without consent and sexual intercourse without consent.
The prosecution opposed bail with concerns Mr Beale could commit further offences, interfere with witnesses or endanger the safety of the community.
"The offences, which are of sexual nature, are very serious. It is a strong prosecution case," prosecutor Scott Thomson said.
The court was told by the prosecutor that two conversations took place following the offences which saw the charges brought before the court.
A surveillance device warrant uncovered a conversation between Mr Beale and the complainant — who was not named in court — after the date of the alleged incident.
"There was a conversation between the accused and the victim in which, in my submission, admissions were made," Mr Thomson said.
"The accused had another conversation saying 'yeah, I messed up' after the offence occurred at the licensed Bondi premises."
However, Mr Beale's legal counsel — Mr Stanton and attorney Paul McGirr — argued the only admission made was that of cheating.
"We say that the intercepted calls are admissions of infidelity. Nothing more, nothing less."
Magistrate Christopher Longley heard both sides before deciding to grant bail.
"As we've heard, it will probably be a plea of not guilty and the matter would not be resolved this year due to court waiting lists," he said.
Magistrate Longley ordered that Mr Beale be granted bail under the conditions that he reports to Waverley police station once daily on Monday and Friday, does not contact the complainant, does not consume drugs or alcohol, does not enter any airports and surrenders his passport and submits to drug and alcohol testing by police if asked.
Mr Beale's case will next be heard on March 22. He will be excused from appearing if represented by legal counsel.
The new father has played 95 games for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2009.
