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Prince William shows off rugby skills with Lions in New Zeal
WELLINGTON (AFP) - The second-in-line to the British throne, Prince William, joined the British and Irish Lions rugby squad in a training session ahead of their second Test showdown with the All Blacks.
With 52 players having already taken part in the injury-plagued tour, fans could have mistakenly believed head coach Sir Clive Woodward was unveiling his latest addition to the squad ahead of Saturday's Test here.
But, in an event staged for a 50-strong media contingent, the 23-year-old prince -- clad in a Lions tracksuit -- was only putting in a bit of practice, kicking a ball around with flyhalf Carlie Hodgson.
The keen rugby player and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II also picked up some advice from Lions technical coach Dave Alred.
William arrived in New Zealand Thursday at Woodward's invitation. Besides Saturday's Test, he will watch the Lions play Auckland on Tuesday and the third and final Test on Saturday.
Royal spokesman Patrick Harrison said William, who played on the wing or at fullback at university, brought his own rugby boots to the practice session.
"He's very passionate about rugby but he also likes polo and waterpolo," he said.
Lions fan Katie Thelwell was excited to watch her team train and seeing the prince was a bonus. "I didn't know he was going to be here today. I was pretty gobsmacked," she said.
All Blacks fan Paul Whitham was impressed by the prince's rugby ability, saying he had "great skills".
During his 11-day stay, William will also undertake his first solo official duties representing the queen, including laying wreaths to mark the 60th anniversary of end of World War II and visiting a school near the tourist centre of Queenstown in the South Island.
He has been to New Zealand once before, in 1983 as a nine-month-old with his parents Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.
He graduated with an arts degree from Scotland's St Andrew's College last week, saying he was entering the "big wide world" after four years at the university.
"I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities which the future brings -- and not least, hopefully, an ultimately triumphant Lions tour of New Zealand," he said.
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