- Hynes and Ponga both have new relationships
- Both players would be very happy
Although NRL stars Nicho Hynes and Kalyn Ponga lost in the NRL finals respectively, both players have plenty to smile about with their new partners in their lives.
Hynes, who recently returned from injury with the Sharks, played a relatively quiet game in Saturday’s qualifying final against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
The star halfback is known for being protective of his privacy, but it has been revealed by News Corp that he is now in a relationship with advertising specialist Piper Wallis.
Wallis, 23, was spotted at a match with Hynes’ mother earlier this year and is said to be a regular at matches in Cronulla.
The Sharks were stunned after Saturday’s 37-10 loss, but Hynes believes his team can bounce back from the Cowboys.
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga is also said to be very happy off the field as she has recently started dating her new girlfriend Gaby Dunn.
Dunn, a paramedic, has also been spotted at football games cheering on her soccer star boyfriend.
She recently announced the relationship with an Instagram post showing her lying on the beach with Ponga, with a second shot showing him giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Sharks star Nicho Hynes is now in a relationship with advertising specialist Piper Wallis
Wallis (pictured) is said to be a regular at matches in Cronulla
Ponga inspired the Knights in a way that only he can, giving them a 12-4 lead at half-time on Saturday.
His stunning footwork was on display early, before he made two attempts, one with a trademark burst and the other with a well-considered bomb.
His teammates, hardened by their three decisive games of the season leading up to the match, were resolute in defence and gave away only one try in the first half through an interception.
Veteran Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt scored his 23rd try of the season, a new club record, when he intercepted a miscued pass from substitute Dylan Lucas in the 14th minute and scored from 85 metres out.
Earlier, Ponga had forced his way through a gap from 40 yards out and found hooker Jayden Brailey with a superb pass to put the visitors ahead.
Kalyn Ponga is also said to be very happy in his new relationship with Gaby Dunn
Dunn, a paramedic, recently shared photos of the couple on her Instagram page
Ponga called for centre Dane Gagai to prepare for a lobbed bomb and landed it perfectly. Gagai fought, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and winger Fletcher Sharpe dived.
The home crowd was speechless in amazement after the Cowboys had 62 percent of the ball possession in the first 40 minutes.
Dearden saved the try by rushing back and tapping the ball home, while Knights second-rower Tyson Frizell looked certain to score.
A brilliant pass from Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes, allowing winger Murray Taulagi to score just after half-time, saw the Cowboys get back into the game.
The Cowboys eventually took the lead when Drinkwater set up prop Jordan McLean under the posts, but the Knights hit back when Lucas went over the posts.
Ponga hit the posts with the conversion to level the score (16-16) and set up a thrilling final 15 minutes.
Ponga split them and Gagai dropped a low pass with the line open before Cotter’s heroics allowed the Cowboys to pull away. Knights prop Leo Thompson was given the death penalty in the sin bin for a late hit on Feldt.
