August 17, 2024 • 9 mins
The Hamilton's Darts Masters have returned, and the biggest names in the sport have descended on NZ shores, including voice of Darts John McDonald.
He joins Piney to discuss the scenes from Hamilton, and the rise of Luke Littler.
“This is an exceptional talent who seems to take everything in his stride.”
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B to.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Darts No Upsets.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
On night one at the New Zealand Dance Masters in Hamilton,
all eight of the PDC superstars overcame their oceanic counterparts.
Goin Price began his bid for back to back World
Series of Darts titles.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
He had a six to three.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Win against kiwe Ben Rob. Defending champion Rob Cross was
probably the closest to being knocked out, fighting back to
win six ' five after being five to four down
over New Zealand number one Hope by Pool. Let's bring
in the most famous voice in darts PDC MC John McDonald.
John's the one who welcomes the players out at the
(00:50):
start of every match at all the big tournaments around
the world. John, great to have you here with us
on Weekend Sport. How are you enjoying your latest visit
to New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Oh fantastic. You saw is a great place to come.
As you can hear by my voice, it was a
tough night, but yeah, amazing first night and can I
just say we can't really look at those results last
night and making the assessment all I can say is
we're stepping in the right direction to the Oceanic players.
(01:19):
They're all were heading in the right direction. I don't
expect any player that is not in the sort of
top thirty two to be able to handle the crowd
of that magnitude last night. They all did themselves very
proud and they're stepping in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
As I say, everything seemed to go to script.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
But Rob Cross, he was given a bit of a
fright by the looks of things by Hope I pouha.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
How did you see that one?
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Yeah? Well it it wasn't for the first time. I mean,
you know he struggled against him in Australia in an
ironic situation. They were both drawn against each other again.
And you know, Hope I really isn't New Zealand number
one for any other reason that he is a fantastic
player and very very nearly pulled it off. And that
would have been amazing to have on the Oceanic player
(02:02):
in day two, our final day here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Hope I pooh has been sort of this year. He's
got us PDC to a card, of course. I spoke
to a couple of weeks ago about the challenges that
you know that brings week in week out.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Can you see him taking that next step up? John?
Do you think he can become the next level of player?
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Absolutely? I mean the best thing he could have done
was getting his talk hard. He'll be playing against real, tough,
competitive players, and you know in sport you have to
play against the best, and the best will bring out
the best if you have it. He's got that incredible
calm in attitude towards the game, which is very, very unusual.
He always looks in control, and I think that will
(02:44):
really help him and I think he will just grow
as a player, and I really hope he does because
he's a massive asset to us. He's such a charming
person to have around and a real a real pleasure
to be with.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Luke Littler last night's stand out performer. I guess in
terms of average he beat Johnny Tutter six' three with
a one O two point two four average.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
This is no longer a surprise that was a John.
When you're Luke Letler post numbers.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Like this, No, certainly, And he's not your average seventeen
year old young man, is he. He got to the
final of the World Championship at the age of sixteen.
He is a remarkable young man, but don't place him
in the same position that you would a normal seventeen
year old lad. This is an exceptional talent who seems
to take everything in his stride. He's unfaced by anything.
(03:31):
The only thing he's got to learn, really, he's got
to learn to get beat. He really doesn't like bitting beat,
and I don't know too many superstars that do, so
he's got that quality. But what a charming young man,
and what an incredible future he has, and you got
to see him in the early stages of his career.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, and you talk about that the people, you know,
not just the dance players, but the people.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
And I think this is common.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I also had the chance, the privilege of speaking the
world number one Luke Humphrey's on the show last week
Indian an oppressive win last night, everaging ninety nine heading
forty six percent of his doubles. The price of us
a play here is I just found him a charming
person as well.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Yeah, well, Luke really is. He's world number one for
another reason. He really is the number one person. He's
just a super super lad and and I can't I
can't stress how much he's brought to the Dame himself.
He handles everything with great distinction. And of course let's
not forget that he's very very young too. And you know,
(04:33):
this is a sign for all those youngsters out there
that are joining academism playing darts. It's not just good
for your mental arithmetic, but it's great for a future
in sport. And it's and it's proved to be that
it really is not just one of the great sports
to watch on TV, it's making a lot of sportsmen
very very wealthy.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
So quarter finals Best of eleven Tonight, Luke Littler, Dimitri Vandenberg,
Luke Humphreys, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Damon Hitter, Gerwin Price,
Peter Wright, and then it too see he's in the final.
Who do you expect to be calling out for the
for the Grand Fi Ronald tonight or is it too
difficult a question to ask?
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Well, it's a really tough one, you know, because anybody
on their day it's capable of pulling off that that
crucial win. Going with form, of course, you've got to
look at people like Michael Smith still in the running,
and you can't rule out a back to back victory
for girl in Price. But you know something, all all
(05:30):
permutations are possible. It's one of those situations when you
have the very best with nothing between them. Too too
tough a call to give you the man who lifts
a trophy.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Your voice, John, is your livelihood? Do you have any
strategies to make sure it's well preticted?
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Not really. I mean I've been a talk all my life.
I suppose you know, if you're that type of person.
I think the only time my larynx ever really sort
of take a sigh of relief is when I go
to sleep. Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things
I do warm it up actually before an event, but
last night was exceptionally because you know, we had eight games,
(06:08):
quite fast and furious, and a little bit of warm
up with the crowd. So yeah, you know, I mean
it does take its tolld Ironically, if you don't do
it every single day, then it gets that little bit tougher.
So sometimes tournaments that are a week long actually work
in my favor.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
How often do you get people stopping you in the
straight and asking you to call them the champion of.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
The world, Well, every single day in my life sadly,
but what is what is quite remarkable and I was.
I spent a lot of time traveling with Rushbray, the referee,
and we both get asked the same question every single day,
and today will be no exception. I'll have a walk
out in Hamilton and I no doubt get asked this again.
(06:49):
The biggest thing that happens nowadays is people come up
to me and just randomly say, Wow, he's some player,
that young kid, and that's really bus the tone since
January the third, when he graced the World Championship stage,
I've never known anything. They call it the lit the effect,
but it really is remarkable. We talk about it every day.
(07:11):
He's just a remarkable player, and it's so wonderful to
be in and around an era that's created such an
incredible player.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Indeed, where do you actually watch the action from John?
Speaker 4 (07:25):
So I'm really a backstage merchant. So you know I
did the same in the boxing and the snooker and
every other sport I've been involved in. As soon as
I've got that game on, I get out of the
way and I normally sit around the back of the stage,
grab a cup of tea bit a few biscuits, maybe
catch up on the next match, have a quick look round,
and then I do tend to watch the last bits
of the game because I'm that type of person that
(07:49):
I never quite know when i might be called upon.
You know, I've had situations in the past where reporter
has not been in place, or something's happened and I've
needed to do something on the match, So I like
to sort of keep a close eye on it. But
at least the first little bit I can get a
chance to just go backstage, grab a kappa, sit there
and generally listen to it going on in the background,
(08:12):
but I'm normally out of the way somewhere.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Wonderful to have you in New Zealand, John Look, darts
is truly global now and I know there's been huge
anticipation for the Hamilton Darts Masters, some blockbuster matchups tonight.
Hope the voice holds for your mate, which by the
sounds of things, that will really appreciate your time this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
It's been a real please. And I've got to just
say one other thing. The hospitality here in New Zealand
has been second to none. You truly are wonderful people
and you have the most beautiful country long. May it
be that way, and let's hope we see you in
the future.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
We'll look forward to having you back. John, You're welcome anytime.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
That's pdc mc John McDonald Hamilton Darts Masters Night two
Tonight starts with the quarterfinals Luke Lutler Dimitri Vandenberg, Luke
Humphreys Michael Smith. The winners of those two will meet
in Semi Final number one, Go and Price and Peter Wright,
Rob Cross against Damon Hitter. The winners of those two
matches will meet in Semi Final number two, So then
(09:06):
onto the final, which is the best of fifteen leagues.
If you're heading along tonight, enjoy yourself. You'll no doubt
stay drier than anybody coming to Edon Park where it
is still raining. I have to report, hopefully it'll ease
off by kickoff at seven o'clock.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B to.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Darts No Upsets.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
On night one at the New Zealand Dance Masters in Hamilton,
all eight of the PDC superstars overcame their oceanic counterparts.
Goin Price began his bid for back to back World
Series of Darts titles.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
He had a six to three.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Win against kiwe Ben Rob. Defending champion Rob Cross was
probably the closest to being knocked out, fighting back to
win six ' five after being five to four down
over New Zealand number one Hope by Pool. Let's bring
in the most famous voice in darts PDC MC John McDonald.
John's the one who welcomes the players out at the
(00:50):
start of every match at all the big tournaments around
the world. John, great to have you here with us
on Weekend Sport. How are you enjoying your latest visit
to New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Oh fantastic. You saw is a great place to come.
As you can hear by my voice, it was a
tough night, but yeah, amazing first night and can I
just say we can't really look at those results last
night and making the assessment all I can say is
we're stepping in the right direction to the Oceanic players.
(01:19):
They're all were heading in the right direction. I don't
expect any player that is not in the sort of
top thirty two to be able to handle the crowd
of that magnitude last night. They all did themselves very
proud and they're stepping in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
As I say, everything seemed to go to script.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
But Rob Cross, he was given a bit of a
fright by the looks of things by Hope I pouha.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
How did you see that one?
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Yeah? Well it it wasn't for the first time. I mean,
you know he struggled against him in Australia in an
ironic situation. They were both drawn against each other again.
And you know, Hope I really isn't New Zealand number
one for any other reason that he is a fantastic
player and very very nearly pulled it off. And that
would have been amazing to have on the Oceanic player
(02:02):
in day two, our final day here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Hope I pooh has been sort of this year. He's
got us PDC to a card, of course. I spoke
to a couple of weeks ago about the challenges that
you know that brings week in week out.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Can you see him taking that next step up? John?
Do you think he can become the next level of player?
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Absolutely? I mean the best thing he could have done
was getting his talk hard. He'll be playing against real, tough,
competitive players, and you know in sport you have to
play against the best, and the best will bring out
the best if you have it. He's got that incredible
calm in attitude towards the game, which is very, very unusual.
He always looks in control, and I think that will
(02:44):
really help him and I think he will just grow
as a player, and I really hope he does because
he's a massive asset to us. He's such a charming
person to have around and a real a real pleasure
to be with.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Luke Littler last night's stand out performer. I guess in
terms of average he beat Johnny Tutter six' three with
a one O two point two four average.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
This is no longer a surprise that was a John.
When you're Luke Letler post numbers.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Like this, No, certainly, And he's not your average seventeen
year old young man, is he. He got to the
final of the World Championship at the age of sixteen.
He is a remarkable young man, but don't place him
in the same position that you would a normal seventeen
year old lad. This is an exceptional talent who seems
to take everything in his stride. He's unfaced by anything.
(03:31):
The only thing he's got to learn, really, he's got
to learn to get beat. He really doesn't like bitting beat,
and I don't know too many superstars that do, so
he's got that quality. But what a charming young man,
and what an incredible future he has, and you got
to see him in the early stages of his career.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, and you talk about that the people, you know,
not just the dance players, but the people.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
And I think this is common.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I also had the chance, the privilege of speaking the
world number one Luke Humphrey's on the show last week
Indian an oppressive win last night, everaging ninety nine heading
forty six percent of his doubles. The price of us
a play here is I just found him a charming
person as well.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Yeah, well, Luke really is. He's world number one for
another reason. He really is the number one person. He's
just a super super lad and and I can't I
can't stress how much he's brought to the Dame himself.
He handles everything with great distinction. And of course let's
not forget that he's very very young too. And you know,
(04:33):
this is a sign for all those youngsters out there
that are joining academism playing darts. It's not just good
for your mental arithmetic, but it's great for a future
in sport. And it's and it's proved to be that
it really is not just one of the great sports
to watch on TV, it's making a lot of sportsmen
very very wealthy.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
So quarter finals Best of eleven Tonight, Luke Littler, Dimitri Vandenberg,
Luke Humphreys, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Damon Hitter, Gerwin Price,
Peter Wright, and then it too see he's in the final.
Who do you expect to be calling out for the
for the Grand Fi Ronald tonight or is it too
difficult a question to ask?
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Well, it's a really tough one, you know, because anybody
on their day it's capable of pulling off that that
crucial win. Going with form, of course, you've got to
look at people like Michael Smith still in the running,
and you can't rule out a back to back victory
for girl in Price. But you know something, all all
(05:30):
permutations are possible. It's one of those situations when you
have the very best with nothing between them. Too too
tough a call to give you the man who lifts
a trophy.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Your voice, John, is your livelihood? Do you have any
strategies to make sure it's well preticted?
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Not really. I mean I've been a talk all my life.
I suppose you know, if you're that type of person.
I think the only time my larynx ever really sort
of take a sigh of relief is when I go
to sleep. Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things
I do warm it up actually before an event, but
last night was exceptionally because you know, we had eight games,
(06:08):
quite fast and furious, and a little bit of warm
up with the crowd. So yeah, you know, I mean
it does take its tolld Ironically, if you don't do
it every single day, then it gets that little bit tougher.
So sometimes tournaments that are a week long actually work
in my favor.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
How often do you get people stopping you in the
straight and asking you to call them the champion of.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
The world, Well, every single day in my life sadly,
but what is what is quite remarkable and I was.
I spent a lot of time traveling with Rushbray, the referee,
and we both get asked the same question every single day,
and today will be no exception. I'll have a walk
out in Hamilton and I no doubt get asked this again.
(06:49):
The biggest thing that happens nowadays is people come up
to me and just randomly say, Wow, he's some player,
that young kid, and that's really bus the tone since
January the third, when he graced the World Championship stage,
I've never known anything. They call it the lit the effect,
but it really is remarkable. We talk about it every day.
(07:11):
He's just a remarkable player, and it's so wonderful to
be in and around an era that's created such an
incredible player.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Indeed, where do you actually watch the action from John?
Speaker 4 (07:25):
So I'm really a backstage merchant. So you know I
did the same in the boxing and the snooker and
every other sport I've been involved in. As soon as
I've got that game on, I get out of the
way and I normally sit around the back of the stage,
grab a cup of tea bit a few biscuits, maybe
catch up on the next match, have a quick look round,
and then I do tend to watch the last bits
of the game because I'm that type of person that
(07:49):
I never quite know when i might be called upon.
You know, I've had situations in the past where reporter
has not been in place, or something's happened and I've
needed to do something on the match, So I like
to sort of keep a close eye on it. But
at least the first little bit I can get a
chance to just go backstage, grab a kappa, sit there
and generally listen to it going on in the background,
(08:12):
but I'm normally out of the way somewhere.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Wonderful to have you in New Zealand, John Look, darts
is truly global now and I know there's been huge
anticipation for the Hamilton Darts Masters, some blockbuster matchups tonight.
Hope the voice holds for your mate, which by the
sounds of things, that will really appreciate your time this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
It's been a real please. And I've got to just
say one other thing. The hospitality here in New Zealand
has been second to none. You truly are wonderful people
and you have the most beautiful country long. May it
be that way, and let's hope we see you in
the future.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
We'll look forward to having you back. John, You're welcome anytime.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
That's pdc mc John McDonald Hamilton Darts Masters Night two
Tonight starts with the quarterfinals Luke Lutler Dimitri Vandenberg, Luke
Humphreys Michael Smith. The winners of those two will meet
in Semi Final number one, Go and Price and Peter Wright,
Rob Cross against Damon Hitter. The winners of those two
matches will meet in Semi Final number two, So then
(09:06):
onto the final, which is the best of fifteen leagues.
If you're heading along tonight, enjoy yourself. You'll no doubt
stay drier than anybody coming to Edon Park where it
is still raining. I have to report, hopefully it'll ease
off by kickoff at seven o'clock.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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