That smile got even wider yesterday when the Otago Daily Times returned it to him - complete with England star Jonny Wilkinson's autograph.
"Thank you very, very, very, very, very, very much," a shaking, emotional, but grateful Joel said yesterday.
"I'm really excited. I'll probably buy a rugby tee and put it on my treasures shelf with the signature facing out."
Joel had been in Dunedin to watch England play Argentina and, when he was leaving Otago Stadium, kicked his brand new official RWC ball to an unknown man - and watched as the man kicked it into the crowd, then laughed.
The 11-year-old hunted in vain for the ball.
Seeing the Otago Daily Times story on Joel's plight, Dick Griffiths, of Dunedin, offered his prized collectable rugby ball, signed by 1995 Rugby World Cup All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick.
Joel's mother, Leanne Malcolm, said her son had since written Mr Griffiths a letter to thank him and tell him "it will be going on my treasures shelf".
Destination Queenstown also gave Joel a mini RWC 2011 ball.
However, Joel still wanted his Gilbert ball back and, in an ironic twist, withdrew $120 from his bank account on Monday and bought a replacement - the day before the man who had booted Joel's ball into the crowd in Dunedin delivered a replacement to the ODT, along with a letter.
The letter said: "I was the one that 'hoofed' the ball away, although I didn't. I went to kick the ball back to Joel, but it came off the side of my boot and went into the crowd." The man explained he wasn't laughing because he had "hoofed" the ball away, but because "it was such a terrible kick".
"I would like to apologise to Joel and let him know that there was no malice intended. I hope this rugby ball goes towards somewhat making up for what has happened," said the letter - signed by: "I'm not a terrible person".
Joel missed getting the ball signed by Jonny Wilkinson in Queenstown, so ODT photographer Craig Baxter made the lad's wish come true, waiting at an England training session for three hours for Wilkinson to sign Joel's new ball.
He told the ODT he had no ill feelings towards the man who lost his ball and, was now considering giving one collectable ball to a charity to auction.
