The 11-year-old Arrowtown boy saved his pocket money for the Gilbert ball, which became a casualty of rugby fever and large crowds in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Joel watched England beat Argentina with his family and English friend Henry Matthews. As they left Otago Stadium, Joel and Henry were throwing the ball between themselves.
When they reached the Mobil service station on Anzac Ave, a man asked Joel to throw him the ball and said he would pass it straight back.
"He looked pretty trustworthy, because he was an adult, so I passed it to him and he just hoofed it into the crowd," Joel said.
The man, who looked about 30 years old, "threw his hands up and just laughed" before walking off. The two friends raced into the crowd to try to find the ball, but to no avail.
Joel's father, Philip Smith, was "annoyed someone would do that to a kid".
He hoped the ball, which had "Joel" written on it in black marker, could be returned.
Joel hoped the ball would be found in time for him to get his favourite English player - Jonny Wilkinson - to sign it when the team visited Arrowtown.
