Teagan Voykovich, right, and a friend were the faces of the NRL Auckland Nines singles zone.

The NRL Auckland Nines have been using Aaron Smith's partner to promote their new "singles zone" in the upcoming tournament.

The image of Teagan Voykovich, cheering at a game alongside a friend in matching outfits, has been used by event organisers on Twitter among other platforms alongside the slogan: "Single and ready to mingle? Join the Singles Zone at the NRL Auckland Nines."



But event organisers said any reference to Voykovich's relationship status was "completely a coincidence", and the picture was selected on aesthetic merits alone.

Single and ready to mingle? Join the Singles Zone at the @NRLAKL9s, Sat 4 & Sun 5 Feb > https://t.co/7i5UyUg3yA#NRLAKL9s #NinesSingleZone pic.twitter.com/iEVxQbYBJo — NRL Auckland Nines (@NRLAKL9s) January 16, 2017

FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGES The pair were looking sleek at the 2015 Steinlager Rugby Awards.

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* Ruben Wiki to play for Warriors at Nines

* Why do we need a 'singles zone' at the Nines?

* Nines organisers set up Eden Park singles zone

Do you know the other person in the photo? Email us at newstips@stuff.co.nz

FACEBOOK/TEAGAN VOYKOVICH Aaron Smith together with girlfriend Teagan Voykovich.

"She's a very attractive lady, they're both very attractive ladies, so that's why the image was selected," NRL Nines general manager Trina Tamati said.



"We have about six photos that have been randomly selected and are used for a number of marketing campaigns over the last two or three years. That one has actually been used before and then got used again."

"It is a condition of patrons attending games that their images may be used for promotional purposes," Tamati explained.

She said she didn't even realise it was Smith's partner until it was pointed out to her on Thursday.

"I wouldn't actually know Teagan if I fell over her in the street - with all due respect.

"I don't even know if she's single, I have no idea what the story is there, but we are going to stop using that image, just out of respect."

"Unless she gives us a call and says she wants to be in the zone, in which that will be a different story all together," Tamati joked.

It comes after the NRL Auckland Nines announced earlier in the week that they have created a "singles zone" at the annual rugby league tournament, which will be held at Eden Park on February 4-5.

"It's actually gone a little bit nuts though. It's been a bit of a shock but the reaction to it has been good and bad, but we've sold nearly a third of the seats that are available in it, so you could say there has been quite a bit of interest."

Smith and Voykovich made news in October last year when Smith was spotted entering an airport bathroom with another woman.