Meet the football star who stole Kalyn Ponga’s heart: NRL pistol goes public with new girlfriend as notoriously private Newcastle star shares new relationship
- Kalyn Ponga is from the dating market
- He’s dating Gabrielle Peak
- The NRL star is notoriously private
Kalyn Ponga is off the dating market after she fell for a Sutherland Shire bomb.
The notorious Newcastle Knights privateer star, 25, went public late last month with Gabrielle Peak, who was featured on her Instagram page late last month.
Like her new boyfriend, Peak is also a good athlete and plays for Sydney University as a defender in the Women’s National Premier League football competition.
She has made 14 appearances this season and appears to be a decent player, despite playing in a defensive position but not yet being booked. Peak is also yet to register a goal or assist for her side.
On the field, it’s been a tough 12 months for Ponga, who has suffered a string of concussions in the NRL.
Kalyn Ponga is no longer on the dating market after going public with his new flame
Gabrielle Peak is a soccer star who plays in the Women’s National Premier League
Late last month, she posted a photo with the Newcastle Knights star
He was not selected for Queensland’s two Origin matches due to welfare concerns following his fourth headbutt in 10 months, with his replacement, Reece Walsh, doing well under Billy Slater.
Ponga’s concussion issues are well documented.
Last season, the 24-year-old endured five separate HIAs and failed to return to the field on three occasions and there are growing concerns about his short-term prospects.
In March, the Newcastle skipper was knocked out just 90 seconds after his team’s 14-12 victory over the Wests Tigers when he suffered a fourth concussion in 10 months.
Ponga insists he made the decision to sit out this year’s series, not Slater.
Asked if he had not made himself available for selection this year, Ponga said: “Yes, it’s true I told Billy I need to focus on Newcastle at the moment.”
“I reached out to him earlier this week to let him know and wish him luck,” he added.
“I love Queensland and the Maroons shirt but I need to play more games and be on the pitch for Newcastle at the moment. It was a very difficult decision to make, but I will fight to regain my place in the Queensland side next year.’