1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,907 Speaker 1: from News Talk zed B to. 3 00:00:12,907 --> 00:00:14,387 Speaker 2: The Darts No Upsets. 4 00:00:14,427 --> 00:00:17,307 Speaker 3: On night one at the New Zealand Dance Masters in Hamilton, 5 00:00:17,387 --> 00:00:22,787 Speaker 3: all eight of the PDC superstars overcame their oceanic counterparts. 6 00:00:22,867 --> 00:00:25,787 Speaker 3: Goin Price began his bid for back to back World 7 00:00:25,867 --> 00:00:27,147 Speaker 3: Series of Darts titles. 8 00:00:27,427 --> 00:00:28,587 Speaker 2: He had a six to three. 9 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:32,027 Speaker 3: Win against kiwe Ben Rob. Defending champion Rob Cross was 10 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:35,627 Speaker 3: probably the closest to being knocked out, fighting back to 11 00:00:35,747 --> 00:00:38,707 Speaker 3: win six ' five after being five to four down 12 00:00:39,187 --> 00:00:42,187 Speaker 3: over New Zealand number one Hope by Pool. Let's bring 13 00:00:42,187 --> 00:00:47,747 Speaker 3: in the most famous voice in darts PDC MC John McDonald. 14 00:00:47,787 --> 00:00:50,627 Speaker 3: John's the one who welcomes the players out at the 15 00:00:50,627 --> 00:00:52,867 Speaker 3: start of every match at all the big tournaments around 16 00:00:52,867 --> 00:00:55,267 Speaker 3: the world. John, great to have you here with us 17 00:00:55,267 --> 00:00:57,427 Speaker 3: on Weekend Sport. How are you enjoying your latest visit 18 00:00:57,467 --> 00:00:58,067 Speaker 3: to New Zealand? 19 00:00:59,147 --> 00:01:01,587 Speaker 4: Oh fantastic. You saw is a great place to come. 20 00:01:01,987 --> 00:01:03,747 Speaker 4: As you can hear by my voice, it was a 21 00:01:03,787 --> 00:01:08,467 Speaker 4: tough night, but yeah, amazing first night and can I 22 00:01:08,587 --> 00:01:12,707 Speaker 4: just say we can't really look at those results last 23 00:01:12,787 --> 00:01:16,027 Speaker 4: night and making the assessment all I can say is 24 00:01:16,227 --> 00:01:19,267 Speaker 4: we're stepping in the right direction to the Oceanic players. 25 00:01:19,267 --> 00:01:21,627 Speaker 4: They're all were heading in the right direction. I don't 26 00:01:21,667 --> 00:01:25,267 Speaker 4: expect any player that is not in the sort of 27 00:01:25,307 --> 00:01:27,467 Speaker 4: top thirty two to be able to handle the crowd 28 00:01:27,747 --> 00:01:30,427 Speaker 4: of that magnitude last night. They all did themselves very 29 00:01:30,427 --> 00:01:32,467 Speaker 4: proud and they're stepping in the right direction. 30 00:01:32,867 --> 00:01:34,547 Speaker 2: As I say, everything seemed to go to script. 31 00:01:34,587 --> 00:01:36,227 Speaker 3: But Rob Cross, he was given a bit of a 32 00:01:36,227 --> 00:01:38,227 Speaker 3: fright by the looks of things by Hope I pouha. 33 00:01:38,307 --> 00:01:39,227 Speaker 2: How did you see that one? 34 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:42,667 Speaker 4: Yeah? Well it it wasn't for the first time. I mean, 35 00:01:42,747 --> 00:01:46,147 Speaker 4: you know he struggled against him in Australia in an 36 00:01:46,187 --> 00:01:49,547 Speaker 4: ironic situation. They were both drawn against each other again. 37 00:01:50,067 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 4: And you know, Hope I really isn't New Zealand number 38 00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:56,467 Speaker 4: one for any other reason that he is a fantastic 39 00:01:56,507 --> 00:01:59,587 Speaker 4: player and very very nearly pulled it off. And that 40 00:01:59,587 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 4: would have been amazing to have on the Oceanic player 41 00:02:02,307 --> 00:02:05,467 Speaker 4: in day two, our final day here in New Zealand. 42 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:09,347 Speaker 3: Hope I pooh has been sort of this year. He's 43 00:02:09,387 --> 00:02:11,587 Speaker 3: got us PDC to a card, of course. I spoke 44 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:13,667 Speaker 3: to a couple of weeks ago about the challenges that 45 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:15,507 Speaker 3: you know that brings week in week out. 46 00:02:15,667 --> 00:02:17,707 Speaker 2: Can you see him taking that next step up? John? 47 00:02:17,707 --> 00:02:20,667 Speaker 2: Do you think he can become the next level of player? 48 00:02:22,507 --> 00:02:24,987 Speaker 4: Absolutely? I mean the best thing he could have done 49 00:02:25,067 --> 00:02:28,667 Speaker 4: was getting his talk hard. He'll be playing against real, tough, 50 00:02:28,707 --> 00:02:31,467 Speaker 4: competitive players, and you know in sport you have to 51 00:02:31,467 --> 00:02:33,507 Speaker 4: play against the best, and the best will bring out 52 00:02:33,507 --> 00:02:36,187 Speaker 4: the best if you have it. He's got that incredible 53 00:02:36,467 --> 00:02:40,467 Speaker 4: calm in attitude towards the game, which is very, very unusual. 54 00:02:41,267 --> 00:02:44,707 Speaker 4: He always looks in control, and I think that will 55 00:02:44,787 --> 00:02:46,787 Speaker 4: really help him and I think he will just grow 56 00:02:46,787 --> 00:02:49,387 Speaker 4: as a player, and I really hope he does because 57 00:02:49,387 --> 00:02:52,347 Speaker 4: he's a massive asset to us. He's such a charming 58 00:02:52,427 --> 00:02:55,547 Speaker 4: person to have around and a real a real pleasure 59 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:55,987 Speaker 4: to be with. 60 00:02:56,827 --> 00:02:59,307 Speaker 3: Luke Littler last night's stand out performer. I guess in 61 00:02:59,387 --> 00:03:01,667 Speaker 3: terms of average he beat Johnny Tutter six' three with 62 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:03,707 Speaker 3: a one O two point two four average. 63 00:03:03,827 --> 00:03:06,027 Speaker 2: This is no longer a surprise that was a John. 64 00:03:06,027 --> 00:03:08,267 Speaker 2: When you're Luke Letler post numbers. 65 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:10,827 Speaker 4: Like this, No, certainly, And he's not your average seventeen 66 00:03:10,907 --> 00:03:13,187 Speaker 4: year old young man, is he. He got to the 67 00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:16,387 Speaker 4: final of the World Championship at the age of sixteen. 68 00:03:17,027 --> 00:03:19,787 Speaker 4: He is a remarkable young man, but don't place him 69 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:23,227 Speaker 4: in the same position that you would a normal seventeen 70 00:03:23,307 --> 00:03:27,067 Speaker 4: year old lad. This is an exceptional talent who seems 71 00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:31,027 Speaker 4: to take everything in his stride. He's unfaced by anything. 72 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:34,507 Speaker 4: The only thing he's got to learn, really, he's got 73 00:03:34,507 --> 00:03:37,587 Speaker 4: to learn to get beat. He really doesn't like bitting beat, 74 00:03:37,667 --> 00:03:40,987 Speaker 4: and I don't know too many superstars that do, so 75 00:03:41,027 --> 00:03:44,587 Speaker 4: he's got that quality. But what a charming young man, 76 00:03:44,627 --> 00:03:46,867 Speaker 4: and what an incredible future he has, and you got 77 00:03:46,867 --> 00:03:49,347 Speaker 4: to see him in the early stages of his career. 78 00:03:49,667 --> 00:03:52,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you talk about that the people, you know, 79 00:03:52,627 --> 00:03:54,147 Speaker 3: not just the dance players, but the people. 80 00:03:54,187 --> 00:03:56,107 Speaker 2: And I think this is common. 81 00:03:56,307 --> 00:03:58,867 Speaker 3: I also had the chance, the privilege of speaking the 82 00:03:58,867 --> 00:04:01,027 Speaker 3: world number one Luke Humphrey's on the show last week 83 00:04:01,067 --> 00:04:04,147 Speaker 3: Indian an oppressive win last night, everaging ninety nine heading 84 00:04:04,187 --> 00:04:06,827 Speaker 3: forty six percent of his doubles. The price of us 85 00:04:06,867 --> 00:04:08,787 Speaker 3: a play here is I just found him a charming 86 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:09,787 Speaker 3: person as well. 87 00:04:11,307 --> 00:04:14,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, Luke really is. He's world number one for 88 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:17,387 Speaker 4: another reason. He really is the number one person. He's 89 00:04:17,387 --> 00:04:21,227 Speaker 4: just a super super lad and and I can't I 90 00:04:21,267 --> 00:04:26,027 Speaker 4: can't stress how much he's brought to the Dame himself. 91 00:04:26,147 --> 00:04:29,747 Speaker 4: He handles everything with great distinction. And of course let's 92 00:04:29,747 --> 00:04:33,147 Speaker 4: not forget that he's very very young too. And you know, 93 00:04:33,307 --> 00:04:35,667 Speaker 4: this is a sign for all those youngsters out there 94 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,987 Speaker 4: that are joining academism playing darts. It's not just good 95 00:04:39,027 --> 00:04:43,307 Speaker 4: for your mental arithmetic, but it's great for a future 96 00:04:43,347 --> 00:04:45,347 Speaker 4: in sport. And it's and it's proved to be that 97 00:04:45,707 --> 00:04:48,027 Speaker 4: it really is not just one of the great sports 98 00:04:48,027 --> 00:04:51,307 Speaker 4: to watch on TV, it's making a lot of sportsmen 99 00:04:51,627 --> 00:04:52,507 Speaker 4: very very wealthy. 100 00:04:53,147 --> 00:04:56,947 Speaker 3: So quarter finals Best of eleven Tonight, Luke Littler, Dimitri Vandenberg, 101 00:04:57,027 --> 00:05:00,747 Speaker 3: Luke Humphreys, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Damon Hitter, Gerwin Price, 102 00:05:00,827 --> 00:05:03,227 Speaker 3: Peter Wright, and then it too see he's in the final. 103 00:05:03,267 --> 00:05:05,307 Speaker 3: Who do you expect to be calling out for the 104 00:05:05,707 --> 00:05:07,507 Speaker 3: for the Grand Fi Ronald tonight or is it too 105 00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:08,787 Speaker 3: difficult a question to ask? 106 00:05:09,907 --> 00:05:12,787 Speaker 4: Well, it's a really tough one, you know, because anybody 107 00:05:12,827 --> 00:05:15,907 Speaker 4: on their day it's capable of pulling off that that 108 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:20,067 Speaker 4: crucial win. Going with form, of course, you've got to 109 00:05:20,067 --> 00:05:23,867 Speaker 4: look at people like Michael Smith still in the running, 110 00:05:24,507 --> 00:05:26,627 Speaker 4: and you can't rule out a back to back victory 111 00:05:26,667 --> 00:05:30,227 Speaker 4: for girl in Price. But you know something, all all 112 00:05:30,467 --> 00:05:33,987 Speaker 4: permutations are possible. It's one of those situations when you 113 00:05:34,067 --> 00:05:37,227 Speaker 4: have the very best with nothing between them. Too too 114 00:05:37,307 --> 00:05:40,187 Speaker 4: tough a call to give you the man who lifts 115 00:05:40,187 --> 00:05:41,067 Speaker 4: a trophy. 116 00:05:41,227 --> 00:05:43,627 Speaker 3: Your voice, John, is your livelihood? Do you have any 117 00:05:43,627 --> 00:05:45,867 Speaker 3: strategies to make sure it's well preticted? 118 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:49,787 Speaker 4: Not really. I mean I've been a talk all my life. 119 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:52,227 Speaker 4: I suppose you know, if you're that type of person. 120 00:05:53,187 --> 00:05:56,867 Speaker 4: I think the only time my larynx ever really sort 121 00:05:56,867 --> 00:05:58,587 Speaker 4: of take a sigh of relief is when I go 122 00:05:58,627 --> 00:06:02,427 Speaker 4: to sleep. Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things 123 00:06:02,507 --> 00:06:04,867 Speaker 4: I do warm it up actually before an event, but 124 00:06:04,987 --> 00:06:08,707 Speaker 4: last night was exceptionally because you know, we had eight games, 125 00:06:08,787 --> 00:06:11,427 Speaker 4: quite fast and furious, and a little bit of warm 126 00:06:11,507 --> 00:06:13,427 Speaker 4: up with the crowd. So yeah, you know, I mean 127 00:06:13,427 --> 00:06:15,747 Speaker 4: it does take its tolld Ironically, if you don't do 128 00:06:15,787 --> 00:06:18,867 Speaker 4: it every single day, then it gets that little bit tougher. 129 00:06:18,907 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 4: So sometimes tournaments that are a week long actually work 130 00:06:22,667 --> 00:06:23,347 Speaker 4: in my favor. 131 00:06:23,947 --> 00:06:25,667 Speaker 3: How often do you get people stopping you in the 132 00:06:25,667 --> 00:06:27,987 Speaker 3: straight and asking you to call them the champion of. 133 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:31,787 Speaker 4: The world, Well, every single day in my life sadly, 134 00:06:31,907 --> 00:06:36,027 Speaker 4: but what is what is quite remarkable and I was. 135 00:06:36,427 --> 00:06:40,547 Speaker 4: I spent a lot of time traveling with Rushbray, the referee, 136 00:06:40,747 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 4: and we both get asked the same question every single day, 137 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,467 Speaker 4: and today will be no exception. I'll have a walk 138 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:49,267 Speaker 4: out in Hamilton and I no doubt get asked this again. 139 00:06:49,747 --> 00:06:53,267 Speaker 4: The biggest thing that happens nowadays is people come up 140 00:06:53,347 --> 00:06:57,107 Speaker 4: to me and just randomly say, Wow, he's some player, 141 00:06:57,187 --> 00:07:01,227 Speaker 4: that young kid, and that's really bus the tone since 142 00:07:01,307 --> 00:07:04,747 Speaker 4: January the third, when he graced the World Championship stage, 143 00:07:05,307 --> 00:07:07,747 Speaker 4: I've never known anything. They call it the lit the effect, 144 00:07:08,107 --> 00:07:11,347 Speaker 4: but it really is remarkable. We talk about it every day. 145 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:15,387 Speaker 4: He's just a remarkable player, and it's so wonderful to 146 00:07:15,427 --> 00:07:19,267 Speaker 4: be in and around an era that's created such an 147 00:07:19,347 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 4: incredible player. 148 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:23,627 Speaker 2: Indeed, where do you actually watch the action from John? 149 00:07:25,467 --> 00:07:28,467 Speaker 4: So I'm really a backstage merchant. So you know I 150 00:07:28,507 --> 00:07:30,627 Speaker 4: did the same in the boxing and the snooker and 151 00:07:31,107 --> 00:07:33,027 Speaker 4: every other sport I've been involved in. As soon as 152 00:07:33,067 --> 00:07:34,467 Speaker 4: I've got that game on, I get out of the 153 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:36,987 Speaker 4: way and I normally sit around the back of the stage, 154 00:07:37,187 --> 00:07:40,187 Speaker 4: grab a cup of tea bit a few biscuits, maybe 155 00:07:40,187 --> 00:07:42,347 Speaker 4: catch up on the next match, have a quick look round, 156 00:07:43,107 --> 00:07:45,307 Speaker 4: and then I do tend to watch the last bits 157 00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:49,307 Speaker 4: of the game because I'm that type of person that 158 00:07:49,347 --> 00:07:51,987 Speaker 4: I never quite know when i might be called upon. 159 00:07:52,107 --> 00:07:56,227 Speaker 4: You know, I've had situations in the past where reporter 160 00:07:56,267 --> 00:07:59,187 Speaker 4: has not been in place, or something's happened and I've 161 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 4: needed to do something on the match, So I like 162 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:03,787 Speaker 4: to sort of keep a close eye on it. But 163 00:08:03,907 --> 00:08:05,587 Speaker 4: at least the first little bit I can get a 164 00:08:05,627 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 4: chance to just go backstage, grab a kappa, sit there 165 00:08:09,107 --> 00:08:12,067 Speaker 4: and generally listen to it going on in the background, 166 00:08:12,387 --> 00:08:14,547 Speaker 4: but I'm normally out of the way somewhere. 167 00:08:14,747 --> 00:08:17,267 Speaker 3: Wonderful to have you in New Zealand, John Look, darts 168 00:08:17,347 --> 00:08:19,907 Speaker 3: is truly global now and I know there's been huge 169 00:08:19,907 --> 00:08:23,827 Speaker 3: anticipation for the Hamilton Darts Masters, some blockbuster matchups tonight. 170 00:08:23,907 --> 00:08:25,507 Speaker 3: Hope the voice holds for your mate, which by the 171 00:08:25,507 --> 00:08:28,387 Speaker 3: sounds of things, that will really appreciate your time this afternoon. 172 00:08:29,707 --> 00:08:31,467 Speaker 4: It's been a real please. And I've got to just 173 00:08:31,507 --> 00:08:34,427 Speaker 4: say one other thing. The hospitality here in New Zealand 174 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:37,507 Speaker 4: has been second to none. You truly are wonderful people 175 00:08:37,547 --> 00:08:40,267 Speaker 4: and you have the most beautiful country long. May it 176 00:08:40,347 --> 00:08:42,667 Speaker 4: be that way, and let's hope we see you in 177 00:08:42,707 --> 00:08:43,187 Speaker 4: the future. 178 00:08:43,587 --> 00:08:45,867 Speaker 2: We'll look forward to having you back. John, You're welcome anytime. 179 00:08:45,907 --> 00:08:51,147 Speaker 3: That's pdc mc John McDonald Hamilton Darts Masters Night two 180 00:08:51,227 --> 00:08:55,507 Speaker 3: Tonight starts with the quarterfinals Luke Lutler Dimitri Vandenberg, Luke 181 00:08:55,547 --> 00:08:58,307 Speaker 3: Humphreys Michael Smith. The winners of those two will meet 182 00:08:58,347 --> 00:09:01,667 Speaker 3: in Semi Final number one, Go and Price and Peter Wright, 183 00:09:01,987 --> 00:09:04,707 Speaker 3: Rob Cross against Damon Hitter. The winners of those two 184 00:09:04,787 --> 00:09:06,707 Speaker 3: matches will meet in Semi Final number two, So then 185 00:09:06,747 --> 00:09:10,067 Speaker 3: onto the final, which is the best of fifteen leagues. 186 00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:13,107 Speaker 3: If you're heading along tonight, enjoy yourself. You'll no doubt 187 00:09:13,107 --> 00:09:15,867 Speaker 3: stay drier than anybody coming to Edon Park where it 188 00:09:15,947 --> 00:09:19,667 Speaker 3: is still raining. I have to report, hopefully it'll ease 189 00:09:19,707 --> 00:09:21,387 Speaker 3: off by kickoff at seven o'clock. 190 00:09:22,187 --> 00:09:25,347 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 191 00:09:25,467 --> 00:09:28,747 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 192 00:09:28,787 --> 00:09:30,387 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.