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 --> 00:00:11,507 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,747 --> 00:00:16,147 Speaker 2: B Hope, I pooh, number one in Oceania is with 4 00:00:16,267 --> 00:00:20,467 Speaker 2: us and I hope I. First of all, I've got 5 00:00:20,467 --> 00:00:22,267 Speaker 2: a lot of questions for you about the year you've had, 6 00:00:22,307 --> 00:00:24,147 Speaker 2: but how much you're looking forward to coming home and 7 00:00:24,187 --> 00:00:25,187 Speaker 2: competing on home soil. 8 00:00:26,507 --> 00:00:28,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, Hamilton has always top of the list for me, 9 00:00:29,747 --> 00:00:34,027 Speaker 3: playing in front of the home crowd. Yeah, I'm stoked. 10 00:00:34,227 --> 00:00:34,747 Speaker 3: I can't wait. 11 00:00:35,467 --> 00:00:38,747 Speaker 4: It's been a big year for you, a landmark year 12 00:00:38,787 --> 00:00:39,387 Speaker 4: in any ways. 13 00:00:39,427 --> 00:00:41,187 Speaker 2: We spoke to you, I think right at the start 14 00:00:41,227 --> 00:00:43,427 Speaker 2: of the year when you earned your PDC tour card. 15 00:00:43,627 --> 00:00:45,227 Speaker 2: Can you tell us what the first six months of 16 00:00:45,427 --> 00:00:46,467 Speaker 2: the year have been like for you. 17 00:00:49,427 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 3: It's just yeah, it's just it's been. It's been tough 18 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:55,827 Speaker 3: at times. It's been my family's been been here in 19 00:00:55,827 --> 00:00:58,787 Speaker 3: New Zealand's I've been over there in the deep end 20 00:00:58,787 --> 00:01:02,907 Speaker 3: by myself, so at times it is lonely, but I'm 21 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:06,347 Speaker 3: over there. I'm a trailblazer. I'm soaking it all up. 22 00:01:06,627 --> 00:01:11,707 Speaker 3: I'm one of, you know, one of the professionals in 23 00:01:11,747 --> 00:01:15,587 Speaker 3: the room. So I've been working hard. I've been grinning away, 24 00:01:16,107 --> 00:01:19,267 Speaker 3: treating it as a job. Some of the results haven't 25 00:01:19,307 --> 00:01:22,227 Speaker 3: really been going my way, but I've been getting better 26 00:01:22,267 --> 00:01:26,347 Speaker 3: and better every time. I'm back home now after six months, 27 00:01:26,947 --> 00:01:29,907 Speaker 3: so yeah, it's been good to catch up with the family. 28 00:01:30,187 --> 00:01:32,427 Speaker 3: Been on a bit of a holiday the last couple 29 00:01:32,507 --> 00:01:35,427 Speaker 3: of weeks, and yeah, the last couple of days, I've 30 00:01:35,467 --> 00:01:37,947 Speaker 3: been back on the board two weeks off and it's 31 00:01:37,987 --> 00:01:41,067 Speaker 3: felt like it feels like I haven't founded up for 32 00:01:41,107 --> 00:01:45,707 Speaker 3: like months. So yeah, I've been doing two sessions a day, 33 00:01:46,147 --> 00:01:49,667 Speaker 3: trying to get back in the swing of things, and yeah, 34 00:01:49,867 --> 00:01:50,627 Speaker 3: and enjoying all of it. 35 00:01:51,627 --> 00:01:53,787 Speaker 2: I guess we all just assume it's a glamorous life, 36 00:01:53,827 --> 00:01:55,547 Speaker 2: don't we. But that must have been hard a being 37 00:01:55,547 --> 00:01:58,627 Speaker 2: away from your family for six months. How you how 38 00:01:58,667 --> 00:02:01,547 Speaker 2: have you gone about dealing with that? What strategies have 39 00:02:01,627 --> 00:02:02,067 Speaker 2: you used? 40 00:02:05,427 --> 00:02:07,987 Speaker 3: Well, we're lucky off this day and age, with technology, 41 00:02:08,027 --> 00:02:12,267 Speaker 3: we can have video calls, So video calls twice a 42 00:02:12,387 --> 00:02:15,387 Speaker 3: day in the morning, well in the morning news. The 43 00:02:15,427 --> 00:02:17,987 Speaker 3: other morning I would ring before the kids go to 44 00:02:17,987 --> 00:02:22,547 Speaker 3: school and then obviously before bedtime. So yeah, and to 45 00:02:22,587 --> 00:02:26,507 Speaker 3: be fair, it's probably I speak more to the kids 46 00:02:26,747 --> 00:02:28,547 Speaker 3: while I was away than when I'm actually at home. 47 00:02:28,707 --> 00:02:35,827 Speaker 3: So so yeah, that's a big yeah big, I mean 48 00:02:35,867 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 3: plus having devices like this at the same time. Yeah, 49 00:02:44,347 --> 00:02:46,547 Speaker 3: it's it's not just my goal, it's it's a family 50 00:02:46,587 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 3: go it's our golf. So I'm over there trying to 51 00:02:49,707 --> 00:02:52,107 Speaker 3: make a better life for us, So trying to get 52 00:02:52,147 --> 00:02:55,707 Speaker 3: off the tools, trying to get off the roofs, and yeah, 53 00:02:55,787 --> 00:02:56,507 Speaker 3: make something of it. 54 00:02:56,627 --> 00:03:00,947 Speaker 2: Well, you're making the steps towards that made it's it's 55 00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:03,267 Speaker 2: it's awesome to see. So tell us about the tell 56 00:03:03,307 --> 00:03:05,187 Speaker 2: us about the week to week of being a you know, 57 00:03:05,307 --> 00:03:08,587 Speaker 2: being a professional on the day room, you know, do 58 00:03:08,627 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 2: you still do you still have to pinch me moments 59 00:03:10,827 --> 00:03:12,747 Speaker 2: or do you feel, look, I am I do belong 60 00:03:12,787 --> 00:03:13,147 Speaker 2: here now? 61 00:03:14,947 --> 00:03:18,227 Speaker 3: To be fair, I always thought I belonged. Uh, you 62 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:21,107 Speaker 3: mon't ask me who's my favorite player, and I still 63 00:03:21,187 --> 00:03:24,267 Speaker 3: do say Gary Anderson until he's at the hockey with 64 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:27,907 Speaker 3: me and then you know. But yeah, when when you 65 00:03:27,947 --> 00:03:31,027 Speaker 3: walk into the room, it's hard to have the same mindset. 66 00:03:31,187 --> 00:03:34,227 Speaker 3: Like in New Zealand, I'd walk into a room and 67 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:38,387 Speaker 3: feel like, you know, I'm I'm a good chance of winning. 68 00:03:38,467 --> 00:03:40,227 Speaker 3: But when you walk into the room over there and 69 00:03:40,307 --> 00:03:42,107 Speaker 3: you look to the left and there's Michael Van going, 70 00:03:42,227 --> 00:03:44,387 Speaker 3: and I look to the right and there's you know, 71 00:03:44,747 --> 00:03:47,987 Speaker 3: Littler and Humphreys and Peter Wright. You know, it's that 72 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:52,787 Speaker 3: is a tough part. And and it's even though the 73 00:03:52,947 --> 00:03:56,627 Speaker 3: halls are packed with people, it's still you know, I'm 74 00:03:56,667 --> 00:03:59,467 Speaker 3: still over there by myself. It's relatively lonely at the 75 00:03:59,467 --> 00:04:04,667 Speaker 3: same time. But yeah, it's just ye're just going away 76 00:04:04,787 --> 00:04:08,947 Speaker 3: and small small steps to get better and better, and 77 00:04:10,027 --> 00:04:12,827 Speaker 3: it is working. It's we all can't be a little 78 00:04:12,867 --> 00:04:15,427 Speaker 3: at learn and when everything that we look at when 79 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:18,267 Speaker 3: we first get there of it as much as we 80 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:18,707 Speaker 3: want to be. 81 00:04:19,427 --> 00:04:21,267 Speaker 2: He's just burst onto the scene, hasn't. I want to 82 00:04:21,267 --> 00:04:22,707 Speaker 2: ask you a bit about him in a second. But 83 00:04:22,747 --> 00:04:24,427 Speaker 2: something you said there about you know, looking to your 84 00:04:24,467 --> 00:04:26,747 Speaker 2: left and seeing Michael Van go and looking to your 85 00:04:26,827 --> 00:04:29,547 Speaker 2: right and seeing look Littler who it might be. But 86 00:04:29,587 --> 00:04:32,747 Speaker 2: you still feel that, you know, there's no I guess 87 00:04:32,787 --> 00:04:36,467 Speaker 2: some you know, psychological being overawed by this. You're still like, well, 88 00:04:36,747 --> 00:04:39,027 Speaker 2: I'm here too, you know, It's just me. It's me 89 00:04:39,107 --> 00:04:40,827 Speaker 2: and my three darts on the board against that bloke. 90 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:44,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, to be fair, when when I do play against 91 00:04:45,147 --> 00:04:48,067 Speaker 3: those types of guys. You know what you're in for, 92 00:04:48,227 --> 00:04:50,707 Speaker 3: so you know you have to play good. So those 93 00:04:50,747 --> 00:04:52,347 Speaker 3: sort of games I tend to play a bit better. 94 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:58,067 Speaker 3: But it's the less known people, you know, like we think, oh, 95 00:04:58,107 --> 00:05:00,347 Speaker 3: I might have a chance here, and then they have 96 00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:02,427 Speaker 3: one hundred and ten, so they're they're in the same 97 00:05:02,467 --> 00:05:04,707 Speaker 3: boat i'm, and you know, they're thinking the same thing. 98 00:05:04,747 --> 00:05:07,667 Speaker 3: They don't know who I am, and it doesn't get 99 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:08,067 Speaker 3: a bit. 100 00:05:09,507 --> 00:05:12,707 Speaker 2: Luke Littler as I say, you know, I guess eighteen 101 00:05:12,747 --> 00:05:14,787 Speaker 2: months ago not many people would have heard of him, 102 00:05:14,827 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 2: but an incredible world championship of course, and now you know, no, 103 00:05:18,667 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 2: and across the world of darts and wider than that 104 00:05:21,867 --> 00:05:24,947 Speaker 2: as well. You've obviously had the chance to be in 105 00:05:24,947 --> 00:05:27,067 Speaker 2: the same space with him. Have you had much to 106 00:05:27,107 --> 00:05:28,707 Speaker 2: do with Luke Littler at all? 107 00:05:29,467 --> 00:05:33,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, Well, so in the darling world we're all known 108 00:05:33,587 --> 00:05:36,427 Speaker 3: who luck litter is. He's still been enough to play, 109 00:05:38,747 --> 00:05:40,947 Speaker 3: you know, the amateur tournaments and stuff like that, so 110 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:44,067 Speaker 3: it's only you had to be sixteen to be a professional, 111 00:05:44,147 --> 00:05:46,987 Speaker 3: so he's probably been good enough to be on the 112 00:05:46,987 --> 00:05:50,027 Speaker 3: pro circuit since he was thirteen. So like he's been 113 00:05:50,067 --> 00:05:52,547 Speaker 3: winning for a long time. It's just the fact that 114 00:05:52,587 --> 00:05:54,787 Speaker 3: he turned sixteen and become a pro and now the 115 00:05:54,827 --> 00:05:57,227 Speaker 3: world can see him. We already knew who he was. 116 00:05:57,667 --> 00:06:00,427 Speaker 3: He beat us, he beat us up online like many 117 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:04,667 Speaker 3: a times, so we didn't think he was going to 118 00:06:04,707 --> 00:06:07,187 Speaker 3: have that much of an impact. Which is it's it's 119 00:06:07,187 --> 00:06:10,147 Speaker 3: been good. Like it's throughout the board, you know, with darts, 120 00:06:10,147 --> 00:06:14,107 Speaker 3: Hour's accessories, boards, just the hyper darts. He's brought a 121 00:06:14,147 --> 00:06:17,587 Speaker 3: lot of hype to our sport, which is good, and 122 00:06:17,627 --> 00:06:20,667 Speaker 3: the money has gone up everywhere. So he's been he's 123 00:06:20,667 --> 00:06:21,787 Speaker 3: been awesome. For the game. 124 00:06:22,307 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 2: Playing, we can work out like you have been. Where 125 00:06:24,907 --> 00:06:26,627 Speaker 2: have you seen the big improvements in your game? 126 00:06:30,507 --> 00:06:35,427 Speaker 3: Well, numbers don't mind the averages. You know, everything's on 127 00:06:35,587 --> 00:06:41,827 Speaker 3: Dark Connect now, so the averages pretty much even just 128 00:06:42,027 --> 00:06:47,227 Speaker 3: mindset practice, like just seeing it going like I practice 129 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:49,747 Speaker 3: really really good, like half the time when I when 130 00:06:49,787 --> 00:06:53,347 Speaker 3: I my good game never comes out. It's just a 131 00:06:53,387 --> 00:06:55,347 Speaker 3: matter of time. Hopefully, hopefully it's going to be one 132 00:06:55,387 --> 00:06:56,547 Speaker 3: of the next two world series. 133 00:06:57,667 --> 00:07:00,547 Speaker 2: So you can put it all together, you know, you 134 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:03,227 Speaker 2: can let the numbers in practice. What what does it 135 00:07:03,307 --> 00:07:06,227 Speaker 2: take to to then convert that into into doing that 136 00:07:06,947 --> 00:07:11,147 Speaker 2: on the really big stages, just. 137 00:07:10,547 --> 00:07:13,387 Speaker 3: Just doing it more and more, getting used to it. 138 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:19,107 Speaker 3: They you know, the top guys in front of thousands 139 00:07:19,147 --> 00:07:23,467 Speaker 3: of people like every week. I like, lower down the ranks, 140 00:07:23,467 --> 00:07:27,027 Speaker 3: we don't get to play all the time. So they're 141 00:07:27,067 --> 00:07:30,427 Speaker 3: playing week in week out. We were practicing. You have 142 00:07:30,507 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 3: to qualify, so for half of the events that they're playing, 143 00:07:33,827 --> 00:07:37,627 Speaker 3: and we we're like trying to qualified for them. So 144 00:07:38,467 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 3: there is a lot of downtime for me. So not 145 00:07:42,467 --> 00:07:45,347 Speaker 3: enough downtime that I can come home, but enough to 146 00:07:45,987 --> 00:07:49,187 Speaker 3: you know, three weeks in between some events for me, 147 00:07:49,627 --> 00:07:52,827 Speaker 3: whereas they're playing like every single week, and that though 148 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:58,707 Speaker 3: even have exhibitions with hundreds to thousands of people as well. 149 00:07:58,787 --> 00:08:02,147 Speaker 3: So it's just it looks so normal to them because 150 00:08:02,147 --> 00:08:02,467 Speaker 3: it is. 151 00:08:04,027 --> 00:08:05,867 Speaker 2: Yeah, but it's a gap that you believe you can 152 00:08:05,907 --> 00:08:08,147 Speaker 2: bridge because as you say, I'm sure there's a lot 153 00:08:08,187 --> 00:08:10,147 Speaker 2: of guys sort of at your level. You talk about 154 00:08:10,147 --> 00:08:12,867 Speaker 2: the top guys and you've just outlined what their lives 155 00:08:12,867 --> 00:08:14,867 Speaker 2: are like, but there must be that level that you're 156 00:08:14,907 --> 00:08:16,827 Speaker 2: on where there are a lot of guys just you know, 157 00:08:16,907 --> 00:08:18,387 Speaker 2: just looking to make that step up. 158 00:08:18,187 --> 00:08:20,587 Speaker 4: You believe you can you can bridge that gap. 159 00:08:21,747 --> 00:08:26,147 Speaker 3: I've had some good games one hundred, one hundred plus 160 00:08:26,227 --> 00:08:29,987 Speaker 3: averages and winning against like some of the best players 161 00:08:30,027 --> 00:08:33,347 Speaker 3: in the world. I still think but my practice has 162 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 3: still been really, really good. It's still a matter of time. 163 00:08:36,427 --> 00:08:40,267 Speaker 3: But yeah, it's just I don't know, it's a weird game. 164 00:08:40,307 --> 00:08:45,027 Speaker 3: It's a game of mimeters. When the backstage sometimes I 165 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:47,587 Speaker 3: feel like I can't miss, and then you get on 166 00:08:47,627 --> 00:08:50,227 Speaker 3: stage and then you can't hit anything, and then and 167 00:08:50,267 --> 00:08:53,627 Speaker 3: then vice versa, like I'll be backstage and can't have anything, 168 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:55,707 Speaker 3: get on stage and win. You know, like it's it's 169 00:08:55,747 --> 00:08:58,067 Speaker 3: just a it's a very weird game. But they always 170 00:08:58,107 --> 00:09:01,107 Speaker 3: say the more you get comfortable about what's doing in it, 171 00:09:01,227 --> 00:09:06,307 Speaker 3: the more the results will come. Just keep running away, Blackfield, 172 00:09:06,707 --> 00:09:08,067 Speaker 3: just grinding away and grind away. 173 00:09:08,427 --> 00:09:12,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, indeed, indeed, indeed he did. You're still you're still 174 00:09:12,147 --> 00:09:16,507 Speaker 2: at the same favorite doubles. 175 00:09:16,467 --> 00:09:21,027 Speaker 3: Any doubles, A good double when when you're playing the 176 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:22,467 Speaker 3: best in the wheel and you just hope to get 177 00:09:22,467 --> 00:09:23,427 Speaker 3: a chance of the double. 178 00:09:25,507 --> 00:09:27,307 Speaker 2: It's a really good way of looking at it, a 179 00:09:27,347 --> 00:09:29,827 Speaker 2: really good way of looking at it. Yeah, So just 180 00:09:29,867 --> 00:09:33,227 Speaker 2: to finish back home in Hamilton, you know it's you 181 00:09:33,307 --> 00:09:35,227 Speaker 2: must love that that home crowd. I mean we obviously 182 00:09:35,227 --> 00:09:37,507 Speaker 2: watch it on television all of these big events around 183 00:09:37,547 --> 00:09:39,227 Speaker 2: the place, but you know, to get the chance to 184 00:09:39,627 --> 00:09:41,867 Speaker 2: see the likes of yourself and the other players, I 185 00:09:41,867 --> 00:09:43,387 Speaker 2: mean to pour up close. You must get a real 186 00:09:43,507 --> 00:09:45,107 Speaker 2: energy from a home crowd, do you. 187 00:09:45,187 --> 00:09:49,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, it'll be good to not get booed and not 188 00:09:49,347 --> 00:09:53,747 Speaker 3: get whistled at this. I'm looking forward to that. The 189 00:09:54,267 --> 00:09:58,187 Speaker 3: European crowds are there, Yeah, they're something else. 190 00:09:58,747 --> 00:10:00,627 Speaker 4: Is that right? They let you have it. 191 00:10:02,627 --> 00:10:06,347 Speaker 3: Especially if you like, especially the pro tours when you're 192 00:10:06,667 --> 00:10:10,307 Speaker 3: the Euros, when you're playing in Germany against Germans, you know, 193 00:10:11,227 --> 00:10:12,947 Speaker 3: your emperor amazing. 194 00:10:13,947 --> 00:10:16,587 Speaker 4: And just to confirm it is tough. 195 00:10:16,427 --> 00:10:18,147 Speaker 3: When you listen back to it, you're like, oh my god, 196 00:10:18,267 --> 00:10:20,667 Speaker 3: that's really bad. But as part of the game now 197 00:10:20,747 --> 00:10:23,827 Speaker 3: you're going to have a thick, thick skin. 198 00:10:23,667 --> 00:10:26,707 Speaker 2: Now, absolutely, And just to confirm the tour card, so 199 00:10:27,027 --> 00:10:29,227 Speaker 2: to retain that, what do you have to do to 200 00:10:29,307 --> 00:10:30,347 Speaker 2: retain your tour card? 201 00:10:31,947 --> 00:10:36,467 Speaker 3: So if you stay in the top sixty four and 202 00:10:36,507 --> 00:10:39,427 Speaker 3: the money moneyless and money rankings and stuff like that, 203 00:10:39,587 --> 00:10:40,827 Speaker 3: you can have a tour card forever. 204 00:10:42,267 --> 00:10:44,507 Speaker 4: And so whereabouts are you in relation to that. 205 00:10:45,947 --> 00:10:47,547 Speaker 3: I'm right at the bottom. I'm not at the bottom. 206 00:10:47,587 --> 00:10:52,747 Speaker 3: I'm about one hundred. Ok. My, So the rankings is 207 00:10:52,747 --> 00:10:55,907 Speaker 3: a two year cycle, so I'll do two years and 208 00:10:55,907 --> 00:10:57,947 Speaker 3: then if I'm inside the sixty four then I wouldn't 209 00:10:57,947 --> 00:11:01,227 Speaker 3: actually go back. All right, that's one of the goals. 210 00:11:01,187 --> 00:11:02,707 Speaker 2: Right, So plenty of time for that. Then you're only 211 00:11:02,707 --> 00:11:05,867 Speaker 2: watched six months and is that right? Yeah, that's great, 212 00:11:05,907 --> 00:11:06,947 Speaker 2: that's correct, brilliant. 213 00:11:06,947 --> 00:11:08,427 Speaker 4: Well, I bet your family delighted. 214 00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:10,467 Speaker 2: DA have you home, Hope By, So we can't wait 215 00:11:10,467 --> 00:11:13,907 Speaker 2: to see you up on the ockey at Hamilton in 216 00:11:13,947 --> 00:11:14,827 Speaker 2: a couple of weeks time. 217 00:11:14,987 --> 00:11:16,347 Speaker 4: Thanks for taking the time for a chat. 218 00:11:17,547 --> 00:11:19,667 Speaker 2: No, thanks for having me, Thanks for joining us, Hope, 219 00:11:19,707 --> 00:11:23,747 Speaker 2: I hope I pooh our number one darts player. Not 220 00:11:23,787 --> 00:11:26,467 Speaker 2: a couple of weeks This coming week Friday Saturday at 221 00:11:26,507 --> 00:11:29,867 Speaker 2: Globox Arena in Hamilton, the New Zealand Darts Masters Seal. 222 00:11:29,947 --> 00:11:31,747 Speaker 4: Some tickets available I understand. 223 00:11:31,987 --> 00:11:35,187 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 224 00:11:35,267 --> 00:11:38,587 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 225 00:11:38,627 --> 00:11:40,227 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.