Was playing rugby with school boys in New Zealand on his first solo official tour
Was playing rugby with school boys in New Zealand on his first solo official tourPrince William's first big overseas royal jaunt started with a pretty basic Kiwi kickoff -- a rugby ball right in the groin.
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Watch out! The school boys playing rugby with Prince William were delighted after they landed one on him during his tour of Eden Park in Auckland, the venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. Pic/Getty images |
"Got him in the Crown jewels," yelled a 12-year-old from the Pakuranga Rugby Club, part of the gang who lobbed the ball at the prince.
The boys were at Eden Park to do some passing practice with Prince William as he toured the ground, viewing the 2011 Rugby World Cup preparations.
While mucking about with a group of rugby-mad youngsters, the prince uttered an audible yelp of pain as a ball thrown by a school boy hit him between the legs.
Finding the boy who made the kick yesterday was not straight forward -- they all wanted the post-match credit.
The right one though seems to be Sebastian Diedricks. "He just missed the ball and I got him."
Nursing an injury, William blew a whistle on the play and suggested the boys kick the balls at the cameras. As club officials tried to bundle the boys away from the media, it was plain they were not familiar with the royal visitor.
"He's with the king of England," one said, while another added, "He's got a pretty posh accent."
The second-in-line to the throne showed no ill effects from the mistimed catch that left the school boys laughing.
Keeping it casual
The prince is on his first solo overseas tour. The start of the three-day visit has been marked by its relaxed atmosphere and lack of formality.
William arrived on a commercial flight on Saturday, largely unnoticed until an Australian channel handed around placards with "Welcome Will" on them.
