NRL star Ryan Papenhuyzen cut a casual figure on Saturday when he stepped out with newly-minted girlfriend Emma Mac.
The Melbourne Storm star, 26, is confirmed as a starter for the team’s Grand Final clash against the Penrith Panthers at Sydney’s ACCOR Stadium on Sunday.
And while he may be nervous ahead of the big game, Ryan showed no signs of butterflies as he took a stroll with his influencer girlfriend.
Ryan took advantage of the sunny Sydney October morning, dressing in a white T-shirt and a pair of plain black gym shorts.
He also wore a black baseball cap backwards that held his flowing blonde mullet mane at bay.
He completed his walking ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and black and white-striped socks.
Meanwhile, Emma cut an equally sporty vision in a pair of figure hugging black tights that flaunted her perfectly toned pins.
Keen to add some extra wind protection to her outfit, Emma also wore a khaki-coloured bomber jacket.
NRL star Ryan Papenhuyzen cut a casual figure on Satursday when he stepped out with newly minted girlfriend Emma Mac
Her outfit was completed with a pair of white sneakers and dark, almond-shaped sunglasses.
Emma’s straight long locks were left to freely fall over her shoulders.
The lovebirds looked chuffed to be in each other’s company, smiling as they walked a leafy Sydney street.
Ryan debuted his new romance on social media, after confirming he was ‘off the market’ earlier in the year.
The Melbourne Storm star showed no signs of nerves ahead of the NRL Grand Final as he took a stroll with his influencer girlfriend
The Melbourne Storm star is confirmed as a starter for the team’s Grand Final clash against the Penrith Panthers at Sydney’s ACCOR Stadium on Sunday
The pair looked chuffed to be in each other’s company, smiling as they walked a leafy Sydney street
The Melbourne Storm ace — originally from Sydney — first teased that he was ‘locked up’ two months ago, but now it appears he is ready to share his love with the world.
On Monday, Ryan posted an image of himself alongside Sydney influencer Emma Mac with the caption, ‘pookie era’.
The fashion TikToker, 21, also shared a photo of the pair at Ryan’s game on Saturday night, which sent followers into a frenzy.
‘You and Pap. OMG,’ one user wrote below the post.
In June, Ryan let slip his relationship status while appearing on the Ausmerican Aces podcast with teammates Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
‘Yeah boys, I don’t live the single life any more,’ the 26-year-old fullback announced.
‘Is that exclusive?’ Cameron and Jarome pressed, to which Ryan responded reluctantly, ‘Could be.’
Ryan was taking advantage of the sunny Sydney October morning, dressing in a plain white T-shirt and a pair of plain black shorts
After Cameron and Jahrome encouraged him to rephrase so his unidentified partner wouldn’t be ‘filthy’, Ryan repeated: ‘Yeah boys I don’t live the single life anymore.’
‘There’s no launches yet, it’s very early stages,’ he added.
When quizzed by Munster and Hughes about the mystery woman, Papenhuyzen remained tight-lipped.
‘So you’re seeing someone?’ Cameron said, to which Ryan replied: ‘Yes.’
‘Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane?’ Jahrome questioned.
Emma, meanwhile, cut an equally sporty vision in a pair of figure hugging black tights that flaunted her perfectly toned pins
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Ryan replied.
Meanwhile, some fans admitted they were confused because they had been under the impression that Ryan was still dating Australian Diamonds and West Coast Fever netball star Kelsey Browne.
The sporting pair split in 2022 after three years together.
He was later linked to two-time Olympic swimming champion and world record holder Ariarne Titmus.
‘I’m living under a rock, thought bro was still with Kelsey,’ one user wrote.
‘Nah ’cause I thought he was still with Kelsey,’ another added with a shocked emoji.
‘Aww…I loved Kelsey,’ added a third.
Keen to add some extra wind protection to her outfit, Emma also wore a khaki-coloured bomber jacket.
The pair looked chuffed to be in each other’s company, smiling as they walked a leafy Sydney street
That’s perhaps a testament to how quiet the NRL player typically is about his love life.
It comes after Ryan’s new girlfriend Emma took to the social media platform last week to reveal that she is moving to Melbourne for the new relationship.
The glamorous TikTok creator said that she’s ‘so excited’ but also ‘absolutely s***ting it’ because she’s never lived out of home before.
‘I’m also moving out of home for the first time ever. I’m going to get a little apartment in Melbourne,’ Emma said.
The social media star, who has amassed an engaged audience of over 850,000 with ‘Get Ready With Me’ and ‘Fit Check’ videos since March 2023, was more direct about putting a label on it.
‘My most frequently asked question is, “Do I have a boyfriend?” I actually do, and I’m so beyond happy,’ Emma continued.
‘I can’t even explain it to you guys and he is the reason I’m moving to Melbourne. I’m moving in by myself, but I’m moving to be closer to him. ‘
Ryan debuted his new romance on social media, posting a photo with Sydney influencer Emma Mac
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