Prince William suffered a crushing defeat as he lost to
Kate Middleton not once, but twice, during a yachting
race on Friday. But the Duke of Cambridge regained royal
bragging rights as he led his "Rippa Rugy" team to
victory over their opponents, the Duchess of
Cambridge's group.
The fun-spirited match, coached by the competitive
couple, was held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin,
New Zealand on Sunday. The two enthusiastic teams of
youngsters featured children who won through to the
final of a day-long tag rugby tournament for five to
seven-year-olds.
At the end of the match, the 31-year-old punched the air
in delight with both fists and could not help but tease
the 32-year-old and quipped in her direction, "next time,
next time."
Rippa rugby is a non-contact form of the game, which is
designed for kids. Players rip a flag from the belt of an
opponent instead of tackling them.
Huriana Manuel, captain of New Zealand's women's
rugby sevens team, worked with William in supporting
the winning Clutha team from South Otago. She said the
Duke was determined to win.
"He brought something special to the team, he's lost a
few competitions to his wife and he really wanted to
win," Manuel said. "He said to the kids, 'Make sure you
go out there and enjoy yourself', and the win followed
from that."
New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw supported
Kate as she led the Pirates from Dunedin.
Prince George's mom was sporty and appropriately
dressed in a cream Jonathan Saunders sweater, dark
skinny jeans and Mint Velvet grey suede sneakers.
Gemma Tuhega, a teacher who was with the Pirates,
said about Kate: "She didn't know too much about the
game, she was getting to know the kids."
William and Kate awarded all of the children with medals
and McCaw joked that the scores were now even
between the royal couple and things are "leveled up."
William and Kate, who was clad in an aquamarine dress
by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead and a Jane
Taylor hat, began their day at the Dunedin Airport and
were greeted by members of the Ngai Tahu tribe.
The elders from the tribe, led a welcome--or Powhiri--
which involved chanting at the couple from some
distance before inviting them forward.
William and Kate were also given a traditional Maori
welcome--or hongi--which involves pressing their noses
and foreheads to the elders' noses and foreheads.
Kate received a hug and a curtsey from five-year-old
Dunedin native Mataawhio Matahaere-vieinthug, who
had been practicing for days.
"I asked if I could hug her and she said yes, she was
beautiful," the little girl said.
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