1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks ed b. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:16,347 Speaker 2: Kiwis meantime on night one at the New Zealand Darts Masters, 4 00:00:16,907 --> 00:00:19,587 Speaker 2: all of them exiting in the opening round at Spark Arena. 5 00:00:19,627 --> 00:00:23,267 Speaker 2: The heavyweights are all through, Luke Littler, Gerwin Price, Stephen 6 00:00:23,307 --> 00:00:26,587 Speaker 2: Bunting and Luke Humphreys all through to the quarterfinals. The 7 00:00:26,747 --> 00:00:30,947 Speaker 2: voice of darts and one of the most recognizable figures 8 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:40,427 Speaker 2: in the sport is leading referee Russ Bray, and Russ 9 00:00:40,427 --> 00:00:42,747 Speaker 2: Bray is here in New Zealand for the New Zealand 10 00:00:42,827 --> 00:00:45,987 Speaker 2: Darts Masters and joins us on Weekend Sport. Russ, I 11 00:00:46,027 --> 00:00:48,587 Speaker 2: remember we spoke at the back end of twenty twenty 12 00:00:48,667 --> 00:00:52,347 Speaker 2: three and at that time you were leaning towards retirement. 13 00:00:52,387 --> 00:00:55,307 Speaker 2: Did you sort of lean away from that after we spoke. 14 00:00:57,347 --> 00:00:59,987 Speaker 3: No, I've actually done not with tirement. I'll just sort 15 00:00:59,987 --> 00:01:02,627 Speaker 3: of stepped down from all the majors, So don't do 16 00:01:02,707 --> 00:01:06,627 Speaker 3: the Worlds or the gone Police Green Slams, Premier leagues more. 17 00:01:07,227 --> 00:01:10,467 Speaker 3: But I still do some of the World Series and 18 00:01:10,747 --> 00:01:14,067 Speaker 3: I still do the Asian Tour. But fortunately for me, 19 00:01:14,107 --> 00:01:17,747 Speaker 3: the World Series includes bar Rain in New York, Australia 20 00:01:17,787 --> 00:01:19,947 Speaker 3: and obviously how for you guys here in New Zealand. 21 00:01:20,027 --> 00:01:23,147 Speaker 3: So I've not actually been tired, but just step down 22 00:01:23,227 --> 00:01:25,907 Speaker 3: from all the major stuff but still get the chance 23 00:01:25,907 --> 00:01:27,827 Speaker 3: to come out and see you guys and girls out here. 24 00:01:27,867 --> 00:01:30,147 Speaker 2: Well, we're delighted to have you here, Rusty, do you 25 00:01:30,147 --> 00:01:32,107 Speaker 2: feel like you've struck a good balance there that you 26 00:01:32,107 --> 00:01:34,467 Speaker 2: know you're not doing as much but you're still keeping 27 00:01:34,507 --> 00:01:39,347 Speaker 2: your hand in and enjoying the stuff that you are doing. 28 00:01:39,347 --> 00:01:43,867 Speaker 3: In all honesty, nineteen was my busiest year. I was 29 00:01:43,907 --> 00:01:48,067 Speaker 3: home indoors in the UK for sixty one days, actually 30 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:51,427 Speaker 3: in my house. This year this year, though I've stepped down, 31 00:01:51,467 --> 00:01:55,667 Speaker 3: I'll be home indoors eighty two So I'm still really 32 00:01:55,707 --> 00:01:57,947 Speaker 3: really busy and I love every minute of it. 33 00:01:58,147 --> 00:01:59,627 Speaker 4: Well, that is great to have you here. 34 00:01:59,627 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 2: Can we talk about last night our key we boy, 35 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:04,187 Speaker 2: Marke Cleaver up against Luke Littler. He gave him a 36 00:02:04,187 --> 00:02:06,347 Speaker 2: decent run for his money, didn't he before Littler events? 37 00:02:06,427 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 2: He won six four? 38 00:02:08,587 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 3: He did, He did give him a good run for 39 00:02:10,427 --> 00:02:12,027 Speaker 3: his money. It was good to see as well. And 40 00:02:12,027 --> 00:02:14,787 Speaker 3: I've known Mark for a long long time since I've 41 00:02:14,787 --> 00:02:18,027 Speaker 3: been coming out here, and yeah, he put up a 42 00:02:18,067 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 3: really really good show, good entertainment show for the crowd 43 00:02:20,827 --> 00:02:24,227 Speaker 3: as well. And you know, any games go close like that, 44 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:26,987 Speaker 3: especially against the world champion, you know, it makes it 45 00:02:27,067 --> 00:02:30,747 Speaker 3: that much more exciting. And he cooked himself very very 46 00:02:30,787 --> 00:02:32,707 Speaker 3: well better than I expected. If I'm going to be 47 00:02:32,707 --> 00:02:33,787 Speaker 3: honest with I know. 48 00:02:33,747 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 2: This is a question you probably get asked a law 49 00:02:35,867 --> 00:02:38,747 Speaker 2: but Luke Ltler's arrival on the dart scene, how much 50 00:02:38,787 --> 00:02:40,027 Speaker 2: has it elevated the sport? 51 00:02:41,307 --> 00:02:43,947 Speaker 3: What the sport was? The sport was wild in the 52 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:47,027 Speaker 3: cross of a way, massively anyway. But then when you 53 00:02:47,107 --> 00:02:51,307 Speaker 3: get the injection of the of the sunamy, so to speak, 54 00:02:52,627 --> 00:02:56,947 Speaker 3: you know that he's just he's just made it massive message, 55 00:02:57,067 --> 00:02:59,907 Speaker 3: certainly for the youngsters in the sport. Now all the youngsters. 56 00:02:59,947 --> 00:03:02,627 Speaker 3: There a lot of academies turning up all over the world, 57 00:03:02,667 --> 00:03:05,027 Speaker 3: not just in the UK and Europe, all over the world. 58 00:03:05,067 --> 00:03:11,107 Speaker 3: And you've got the witness me from four years onwards 59 00:03:11,347 --> 00:03:14,347 Speaker 3: going to these academies on the back of Luke Littler. 60 00:03:14,547 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 3: You know, I want to play darts, I want to 61 00:03:16,067 --> 00:03:17,787 Speaker 3: do darts. I want to do this, I know for 62 00:03:17,787 --> 00:03:21,547 Speaker 3: a fact. With my company Unicorn the sales have gone massive, 63 00:03:21,627 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 3: the same with all the other guys. You know, So 64 00:03:23,907 --> 00:03:27,947 Speaker 3: at the end of the day, the the you know, 65 00:03:28,067 --> 00:03:31,827 Speaker 3: the way Luke Littler has bought things forward, it's where 66 00:03:31,867 --> 00:03:34,707 Speaker 3: it's undescribable, if I'm being honest. This just took it 67 00:03:34,747 --> 00:03:37,627 Speaker 3: to major, major levels. And he has as well, you know, 68 00:03:37,747 --> 00:03:41,547 Speaker 3: with the way he's playing and his whole persona. I 69 00:03:41,587 --> 00:03:42,987 Speaker 3: think it's it's just amazing. 70 00:03:43,267 --> 00:03:45,027 Speaker 2: How do you evaluate the way that he's dealt with 71 00:03:45,067 --> 00:03:47,307 Speaker 2: it all because he's still a very young man, isn't 72 00:03:47,307 --> 00:03:50,107 Speaker 2: he in the highest glear of the spotlight? How do 73 00:03:50,147 --> 00:03:51,387 Speaker 2: you evaluo ad how he's dealt with it. 74 00:03:52,667 --> 00:03:57,947 Speaker 3: I think he's dealt with the absolute well superbctly, you know, 75 00:03:58,627 --> 00:04:01,107 Speaker 3: say the kids eighteen I called his final winning was 76 00:04:01,187 --> 00:04:04,467 Speaker 3: sixteen a couple of years ago against low Comfores. And 77 00:04:05,667 --> 00:04:10,427 Speaker 3: you know, he's his way above his years in his well, 78 00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:12,027 Speaker 3: the whole look at the Leder and know, I mean 79 00:04:12,027 --> 00:04:14,107 Speaker 3: they had a bed at seventeen, so you know, he's 80 00:04:14,227 --> 00:04:18,747 Speaker 3: very very mature lad. And he's learned how to cope 81 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:21,867 Speaker 3: with media, cope with the crowd, and cope with the 82 00:04:21,907 --> 00:04:23,907 Speaker 3: pressure in the game itself, you know, And I just 83 00:04:23,947 --> 00:04:26,947 Speaker 3: say he's very, very advanced as he is, and he 84 00:04:27,027 --> 00:04:29,507 Speaker 3: is genuinely a lovely kid. And I'll try and tell 85 00:04:29,587 --> 00:04:34,347 Speaker 3: some people sometimes please remember he's still a kid. He's 86 00:04:34,387 --> 00:04:37,427 Speaker 3: a kid, and he hasn't they even started to scratching 87 00:04:37,507 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 3: service of living life at the moment, and you know, 88 00:04:41,267 --> 00:04:43,427 Speaker 3: it's good to see. It's good. I like the. 89 00:04:43,347 --> 00:04:46,507 Speaker 2: Exuberance of the lad Indeed, we had Stephen Bunting on 90 00:04:46,547 --> 00:04:49,147 Speaker 2: the show last week. What have you seen from him 91 00:04:49,147 --> 00:04:51,307 Speaker 2: in the last couple of years that has elevated his 92 00:04:51,387 --> 00:04:52,467 Speaker 2: game and his profile? 93 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:56,467 Speaker 3: Do you know what if it's something with all the guys, 94 00:04:56,467 --> 00:04:59,787 Speaker 3: but certainly with Stephen, it's just believe. I mean, Stephen's 95 00:04:59,827 --> 00:05:01,907 Speaker 3: got the talent, he's got the ability, and he's proved 96 00:05:01,907 --> 00:05:05,067 Speaker 3: at a million and one times. But it's just having 97 00:05:05,107 --> 00:05:07,227 Speaker 3: the belief that you can get up there. And I 98 00:05:07,267 --> 00:05:12,187 Speaker 3: mean even the the BDO World Title, World Championships, the 99 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:17,467 Speaker 3: Lakeside and don't mean feet in itself. And then when 100 00:05:17,467 --> 00:05:20,907 Speaker 3: he came over to the p DC, you know, the 101 00:05:21,827 --> 00:05:25,667 Speaker 3: talent was a lot better in strength there in debt 102 00:05:26,347 --> 00:05:29,947 Speaker 3: and he's just in finding his feet now. Now Stephen 103 00:05:30,067 --> 00:05:33,707 Speaker 3: believes he can win. He believes he can win. And 104 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:36,427 Speaker 3: that's the big, big difference, and you see it in 105 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:39,107 Speaker 3: his game and you see again you see how he 106 00:05:39,427 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 3: you know, holds himself on the stage. There's he's a 107 00:05:43,587 --> 00:05:48,347 Speaker 3: good kid, good character and a really really good gold player. 108 00:05:48,387 --> 00:05:50,587 Speaker 3: Now you know he's he's way way up there and 109 00:05:50,627 --> 00:05:52,747 Speaker 3: it's good to see. And this is what this is 110 00:05:52,747 --> 00:05:55,347 Speaker 3: what has happened within the PDC. This has happened with 111 00:05:55,387 --> 00:05:57,787 Speaker 3: the letter effect, which is mentioned that you have to 112 00:05:57,787 --> 00:06:01,107 Speaker 3: be better, you have to be more consistent to compete, 113 00:06:01,147 --> 00:06:03,787 Speaker 3: and that's exactly what Stephen does now. And he believes 114 00:06:03,827 --> 00:06:05,307 Speaker 3: that and that's that's the biggest thing. 115 00:06:05,667 --> 00:06:08,067 Speaker 2: And look, Humphrey's world number one still of course it 116 00:06:08,187 --> 00:06:09,867 Speaker 2: met he's a bit out of sorts at the moment. 117 00:06:09,907 --> 00:06:12,947 Speaker 2: He won through i K last night six three over 118 00:06:12,987 --> 00:06:15,467 Speaker 2: Hope by Paul ha What is the best thing rush 119 00:06:15,547 --> 00:06:18,427 Speaker 2: for a player to do when when they're not playing 120 00:06:18,467 --> 00:06:19,627 Speaker 2: as well as they'd like to. 121 00:06:22,387 --> 00:06:25,187 Speaker 3: Again, it comes down that the biggest muscle lot is 122 00:06:25,187 --> 00:06:27,667 Speaker 3: a bit between your ears. I've always said that, you know, 123 00:06:28,747 --> 00:06:31,387 Speaker 3: everyone go up there and the arms and eighties, everyone 124 00:06:31,427 --> 00:06:34,307 Speaker 3: can go up there at double sixteen because they do. 125 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:37,667 Speaker 3: But he's doing it on a on a regular basis 126 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:41,667 Speaker 3: doing it consistently. Last week I know for a fact, 127 00:06:41,667 --> 00:06:44,667 Speaker 3: Look wasn't very well. He didn't travel very well into 128 00:06:44,707 --> 00:06:48,507 Speaker 3: it and he was pretty sick. He was feeling good 129 00:06:48,707 --> 00:06:53,347 Speaker 3: a lot better this week, which he showed. But with 130 00:06:53,547 --> 00:06:56,507 Speaker 3: respected that it's if you're you've got to play for 131 00:06:56,667 --> 00:06:59,267 Speaker 3: it all sport. That what sport. It is his peaks 132 00:06:59,267 --> 00:07:02,987 Speaker 3: and troughs. When you're peaking fantastic. When you're in a trough, 133 00:07:03,067 --> 00:07:08,147 Speaker 3: it's half fire. You trough gown Phil Taylor. If I 134 00:07:08,187 --> 00:07:11,267 Speaker 3: can go to him. When Phil Taylor was peaking, nobody 135 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 3: touched him. When he was not on his game. His 136 00:07:17,507 --> 00:07:20,227 Speaker 3: level of game was still most people's a game. So 137 00:07:20,587 --> 00:07:23,347 Speaker 3: there's a big difference. And this is what you need 138 00:07:23,387 --> 00:07:25,147 Speaker 3: to find or what the guys need to find. And 139 00:07:25,147 --> 00:07:28,987 Speaker 3: they're not finely well. I haven't practice as hard as they. 140 00:07:29,067 --> 00:07:30,547 Speaker 3: Maybe I sort of. I don't know what a feeling 141 00:07:30,547 --> 00:07:32,507 Speaker 3: a bit under the weather is. You've got a battle 142 00:07:32,587 --> 00:07:34,667 Speaker 3: for it again, it comes down to the bit between 143 00:07:34,707 --> 00:07:38,587 Speaker 3: years believes you're going to do it, and that's that's 144 00:07:38,587 --> 00:07:40,587 Speaker 3: the psychology of the game, and that's something I think 145 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:41,907 Speaker 3: it's quite important. 146 00:07:42,387 --> 00:07:44,627 Speaker 2: Us The players even surprise you with the white they 147 00:07:44,707 --> 00:07:45,787 Speaker 2: attack a chick out. 148 00:07:48,387 --> 00:07:53,227 Speaker 3: Someone. I mean, I'm going to get on my old school. 149 00:07:53,227 --> 00:07:54,867 Speaker 3: I'll go back to the goodness may, I'll go back 150 00:07:54,907 --> 00:07:58,707 Speaker 3: to the seventies and eighties where it was really basic shots out, 151 00:07:58,787 --> 00:08:01,107 Speaker 3: you know. But these guys now, I mean, goodness me, 152 00:08:01,227 --> 00:08:03,387 Speaker 3: they're going for double doubles and all this sort of thing, 153 00:08:03,427 --> 00:08:05,907 Speaker 3: which is never unheard of when I was and I 154 00:08:05,947 --> 00:08:08,947 Speaker 3: was in the early doors, you know. So yeah, it's 155 00:08:09,227 --> 00:08:13,107 Speaker 3: now from my perspective, it's a matter of getting used 156 00:08:13,107 --> 00:08:16,547 Speaker 3: to the guys hitting double double shots out, you know, 157 00:08:18,427 --> 00:08:21,147 Speaker 3: one hundred and one hundred and twelve and things like that, 158 00:08:22,347 --> 00:08:24,867 Speaker 3: where they're sort of going just really really crazy way, 159 00:08:24,907 --> 00:08:26,907 Speaker 3: you know, double a and double A and double top 160 00:08:26,987 --> 00:08:31,867 Speaker 3: this type of thing. You know, it's mental, it is mental. 161 00:08:31,907 --> 00:08:34,347 Speaker 3: But yeah, it don't surprise me sometimes because you're wondering 162 00:08:34,387 --> 00:08:37,547 Speaker 3: where they're going. They've got a quick calculation as to 163 00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:40,667 Speaker 3: where you think they might be going next. So yeah, 164 00:08:40,667 --> 00:08:42,307 Speaker 3: it's good. It's good. As what I was say, entertaining, 165 00:08:42,347 --> 00:08:44,107 Speaker 3: it's good funting and going there. And of course they 166 00:08:44,187 --> 00:08:46,107 Speaker 3: use the bulls eye a lot now, yeah, and they 167 00:08:46,147 --> 00:08:48,067 Speaker 3: never used two years ago. The bulls eye has a 168 00:08:48,067 --> 00:08:49,907 Speaker 3: big shot out for them and everyone loves it. 169 00:08:50,067 --> 00:08:50,307 Speaker 4: Yeah. 170 00:08:50,347 --> 00:08:53,467 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and obviously you're still sharp airs with the with 171 00:08:53,507 --> 00:08:57,707 Speaker 2: the maths and doing the calculations in your head. Can 172 00:08:57,707 --> 00:08:59,547 Speaker 2: I give you a couple of chickouts and get you 173 00:08:59,627 --> 00:09:01,267 Speaker 2: to tell me how you think a plier or a ticket? 174 00:09:02,787 --> 00:09:02,987 Speaker 3: Yep? 175 00:09:03,107 --> 00:09:05,267 Speaker 4: So one hundred and thirteen. 176 00:09:07,067 --> 00:09:09,187 Speaker 3: Trouble twenty thirteen, Double Top. 177 00:09:09,507 --> 00:09:10,707 Speaker 4: One hundred and thirty eight. 178 00:09:12,947 --> 00:09:16,707 Speaker 3: Well, very famous, a great man mine Keith, Trouble twenty 179 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:18,187 Speaker 3: Team double. 180 00:09:17,947 --> 00:09:19,867 Speaker 4: Twelve love it and one o one. 181 00:09:22,587 --> 00:09:25,467 Speaker 3: There's obviously there's a billion in one ways on it. 182 00:09:25,547 --> 00:09:27,827 Speaker 3: There's Trouble seven eight balls. 183 00:09:28,587 --> 00:09:28,827 Speaker 4: Russ. 184 00:09:29,027 --> 00:09:30,987 Speaker 2: It's just a delight to have you in New Zealand, 185 00:09:31,027 --> 00:09:32,867 Speaker 2: a delight to have you on the radio again. May 186 00:09:33,227 --> 00:09:36,387 Speaker 2: there be many more conversations between us. Enjoy tonight at 187 00:09:36,387 --> 00:09:40,067 Speaker 2: the second night of the New Zealand Darts Masters. 188 00:09:40,507 --> 00:09:43,027 Speaker 3: It's lovely to be over. Thanks ever so much, mate, 189 00:09:43,067 --> 00:09:45,947 Speaker 3: and hopefully catch up and have a chat. 190 00:09:45,987 --> 00:09:48,267 Speaker 2: So yeah, look forward to that, Russ. Thanks indeed, Russ 191 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:52,267 Speaker 2: Brady immistakable voice, the voice of darts. He's here for 192 00:09:52,307 --> 00:09:55,187 Speaker 2: the New Zealand Darts Masters at night two from seven 193 00:09:55,187 --> 00:09:58,747 Speaker 2: o'clock quarterfinals. Stephen Bunt and christ Toby, Luke Humphreys, Damon 194 00:09:58,827 --> 00:10:03,467 Speaker 2: hetter gowin Price against Josh Rock, Luke Littler against Mike Dedecca. 195 00:10:03,867 --> 00:10:07,067 Speaker 2: Those best of eleven legs then into the semis, best 196 00:10:07,067 --> 00:10:10,347 Speaker 2: of thirteen and the final the best of fifteen legs 197 00:10:10,387 --> 00:10:13,507 Speaker 2: at Spark Arena for the New Zealand Darts Masters. 198 00:10:13,587 --> 00:10:14,347 Speaker 4: Terrific stuff. 199 00:10:14,907 --> 00:10:18,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 200 00:10:18,187 --> 00:10:21,467 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 201 00:10:21,507 --> 00:10:23,107 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio