- Hynes and Put both in new relationships
- Both players are said to be very happy.
Although NRL stars Nicho Hynes and Kalyn Ponga are coming off NRL finals defeats, both players have plenty to smile about with new partners in their lives.
Hynes, who recently returned from injury for the Sharks, had a relatively quiet performance in Saturday’s qualifying final against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
The star midfielder is notoriously protective of his private life, but it has been revealed by News Corporation who is now dating advertising specialist Piper Wallis.
Wallis, 23, was spotted at a game with Hynes’ mother earlier this year and is said to be a regular at Cronulla games.
The Sharks were stunned by Saturday’s 37-10 loss, but Hynes believes his team can bounce back against the Cowboys.
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga is also said to be very happy off the pitch after recently getting involved with new girlfriend Gaby Dunn.
Dunn, a paramedic, has also been seen at football matches supporting her soccer star boyfriend.
She recently announced the relationship with an Instagram post in which she appears relaxing on a beach with Ponga. In a second image, he gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Sharks star Nicho Hynes is now dating advertising specialist Piper Wallis
Wallis (pictured) is said to be a regular at Cronulla games.
Ponga inspired the Knights as only he can to give them a 12-4 lead at halftime on Saturday.
His dazzling footwork was on display early on before he created two tries, one with a trademark burst and another with a well-timed bomb.
His teammates, battle-hardened from the previous three regular-season deciders, were resolute in defence and conceded just one try in the first half via interception.
Veteran Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt scored his 23rd try of the season, a new club record, when he latched on to a deflected pass from substitute centre Dylan Lucas in the 14th minute to race 85 metres for the score.
Earlier, Ponga had burst through a gap from 40 metres out and found hooker Jayden Brailey with a brilliant pass to give the visitors the lead.
Kalyn Ponga is also said to be very happy in her new relationship with Gaby Dunn.
Dunn, a paramedic, recently shared photos of the couple on her Instagram page.
Ponga called on centre Dane Gagai to set up for a bomb and he hit it perfectly. Gagai challenged, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and winger Fletcher Sharpe pounced.
The home crowd fell silent after the Cowboys had 62 percent of the possession in the first 40 minutes.
Dearden made a try-saving move when he rushed to touch the ball with the tip of his index finger as Knights second-row Tyson Frizell looked certain to score.
A brilliant pass from Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes for winger Murray Taulagi to score immediately after half-time put the Cowboys back in the game.
The Cowboys eventually took the lead when Drinkwater put prop Jordan McLean in between the sticks, but the Knights hit back when Lucas crashed over.
Ponga hit the posts with the conversion, leaving the score tied at 16-1 and setting up an exciting final 15 minutes.
Ponga split them and Gagai dropped a low pass with the line open before Cotter’s heroics allowed the Cowboys to clear the field. Knights prop Leo Thompson was penalised late on for a late hit on Feldt.