Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga hard launches his new swimwear model girlfriend at the Dally M awards as she steals the show in a stunning strapless gown

NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga made things red-carpet official with stunning swimwear entrepreneur Mimi Bowell at the Dally M Awards on Wednesday night, marking their first high-profile appearance as a couple.

The Newcastle Knights skipper, 28, was all smiles as he hard-launched his beautiful new flame, who sent tongues wagging in a breathtaking white strapless gown.

The figure-hugging gown highlighted her elegant silhouette, while its dramatic train added an extra touch of glamour to the sophisticated look.

She commanded attention as she posed beside Kalyn, looking every inch the glamorous new WAG as she made her red-carpet debut with the NRL star.

Mimi, a co-founder of Imana Swim, looked radiant, with her brunette locks styled in voluminous waves and flawless makeup. 

Completing her show-stopping look with a sleek matching clutch, she beamed alongside her beau, radiating a happy and effortless demeanour.

The couple, who were first linked after a loved-up trip to New Zealand earlier this month, appeared inseparable and genuinely happy, posing affectionately for the cameras and setting a new standard for rugby league power couples.

The official confirmation follows reports from earlier this month that Kalyn appeared to have a new woman in his life after he surfaced in a series of cosy photos with Australian swimwear entrepreneur Mimi Bowell.

The Newcastle Knights captain sent tongues wagging after Mimi shared a loved-up Instagram carousel from a recent trip to New Zealand, where the pair appeared inseparable.

Mimi, who boasts more than 6,000 followers on Instagram, captioned the post simply: 'passport stamped.' 

The gallery included several affectionate snaps of the pair exploring Auckland together, with Kalyn happily wrapping an arm around the brunette beauty as they posed for the camera.

In one selfie, the NRL superstar flashed a huge grin as Mimi puckered up beside him while strolling through the city.

Another showed the pair leaning into one another on a street corner, with Mimi looking effortlessly stylish in a cropped beige jacket and relaxed blue jeans.

And her friends appeared equally excited by the apparent new romance.

'It's OFFICIALLLL,' one pal declared beneath the post, prompting another to reply: 'YES.'

Mimi is a model, content creator and entrepreneur who co-founded Adelaide-based label Imana Swim with her sister.

The brand has amassed a sizeable social media following, with almost 45,000 followers on Instagram.

Kalyn was most recently reported to have been dating Newcastle paramedic Gaby Dunn.

He has also previously been romantically linked to Sydney model Matisse De Giorgi.