The warrior and the dancer

Bodene Thompson and Kaea Pearce. Photo / Instagram

Warriors second-rower Bodene Thompson, whose cheeky smile lights up the footy field, has been getting up close with Kiwi dance superstar Kaea Pearce, 19, one of the lead dancers in Parris Goebel's Royal Family and ReQuest Dance crews.

You can't miss the flame-haired hip-hop dancer busting her moves on the New Zealand Post ads; you may also remember her as the girl who kissed Jennifer Lopez while they danced at the American Music Awards last year.

Now the Warrior and the dancer have been spending time together celebrating their birthdays.

This week, on Thompson's 28th birthday, Pearce posted a picture of the two to social media: "When you've found someone who is perfect," she said, with a cheeky monkey face.

Recently they took a page out of the dating book of Silver Fern Kayla Cullen and fellow Warriors' player Shaun Johnson and went skydiving for Pearce's birthday, cuddling up after the jump.

Thompson, who has two children from previous relationships, posted a pic of the pair embracing: "On debut," he said, with a love heart.

Thompson's comment about their relationship status was cute:
"It's fair to say my dancing has improved significantly since Kaea has appeared on the scene ... it's even helped my sidestep - LOL". While Thompson was preparing for the Warriors' next game against the Titans this weekend, Pearce flew to Las Vegas to prepare for Parris' debut single, which launches tomorrow in New Zealand.