TIMES’ EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand’s top darts players are going head-to-head with their Australian counterparts in the Oceanic Masters Darts Tournament at east Auckland’s Howick Club.
It’s expected that more than 120 darts players from Australasia will converge at the Howick Club on October 18-20, as trans-Tasman rivalry heats up.
The best of the best in doubles and individual events will clash in the battle to find the Supreme Oceanic Champion, who will represent Australasia at the prestigious World Championships in London in December, where the prize pool is more than NZ$5 million.
“This is the first time the Oceanic Masters Tournament has been held in New Zealand since 2009,” says Howick Club vice-president Geoff Pike.
“We’re delighted to be hosting this calibre of tournament and enthusiastic spectators over the three events.
“We won’t know exactly how many players will face off until they formally register on or before October 18.
“We’re expecting a huge number of spectators over the three-day clash, as darts worldwide has become a phenomenal sport to participate and watch,” Pike says.
“This is a real coup that the Howick Club has been tasked with hosting the events and our 5000-strong membership, not to mention our darts fraternity, is right behind this.
“We’re gearing up and privileged to be showcasing darts at its very best.”
There’s a strong line-up of top Kiwi players that will participate including captain of the New Zealand darts team and Howick Club’s own Ben Robb, known in darts circles as “Big Rig”.
After competing in the recent Dart Players NZ (DPNZ) top 16 tournament in Hamilton, Robb has already qualified for the World Championships at the Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace, London).
However, he’ll be playing in the doubles in Howick representing New Zealand.
The 35-year-old is a semi-professional player competing in some Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, including the World Championships and World Cup of Darts, and is also ranked number four in the world in the World Darts Federation (WDF).
“We’re really excited to be competing with our Australian counterparts and also facing off with our very own darts fraternity in New Zealand,” says Robb.
“I’m stoked to have already qualified for a spot at Ally Pally.
“However, I’m keen to support our Kiwi teammates at my home club in Howick and will be playing in the doubles.”
Other notable New Zealand players expecting to participate in the Oceanic Masters are Kayden Milne, Mark Cleaver, Haupai Puha, Johnny Tata, Josh Walters, Wayne McCrae, Daniel Snooks and Deon Toki.
Puha is a big addition. He’s New Zealand’s first professional darts player on the pro-circuit in the UK.
Darts Australia has confirmed these players will be in Howick: Jeremy Fagg, Brandon Weening, Tim Pusey, Brenton Lloyd, James Bailey, GG Mathers, Harley Kemp and Rob Modra.
Almost all of them have played on TV at the World Championships and world series events.
Rob Denny, chief executive of Dartplayers Australia, is excited by the quality of the field for Howick.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the top echelon of our players participate in Auckland.
“It’s one of the most prestigious events in Oceania and whoever wins it has played a tough draw to make it,” Denny says.
“Our captain Daniel Sim has put together a brilliant team of Aussies as we take on the Kiwis in the test match.
“We know how amazing the venue is and the darts are sure to match the quality of the venue.”
