Sports News for 11 August 2025
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RNZ News
7 minutes ago
- RNZ News
The razzmatazz of a bullseye sport
English dart player Luke Littler is credited with a resurgence in the sport's popularity. Photo: Supplied When Australian darts champion Damon Heta aka The Heat does his 'walk-on' to the oche (the line on the floor that players stand behind) for Friday's Darts Masters title in Auckland, he'll be rarking up the fans to a different tune. The Perth-based world number 10 will be tapping into his Kiwi roots when he walks on to The Exponents' smash hit Why Does Love Do This To Me . The walk-on theme music is a vital part of the razzmatazz of the World Series of Darts tour and Heta, with his trademark handlebar moustache, is famous for his whacky dancing and headdress of flames. He loves the crowds and the crowds love him. Usually, on the world tour, Heta gets the fans chanting to Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark , but this weekend he hopes he can win over the famously boisterous crowd with a tried and true Kiwi crowd pleaser. Damon Heta, The Heat (R) and Ben Robb aka Big Rig. Photo: Sharon Brettkelly "It's the rugby one, isn't it, that everyone sings to," says Heta, who is proud of his local connections. "It's crazy. Today I'm going to meet some family that I've never met before." Heta hopes the Auckland fans will be on his side as he vies for the championship against the world's best, including teen sensation Luke Littler . He's beaten "the young punk" once and reckons he can put him back in his place again. "It's like he doesn't have a care in the world, like most teenagers, you know what I mean," he jokes. "No, fair play to him, he's brought the sport along in leaps and bounds ... so yeah, it's getting good knowledge and expanding the game." Darts legends, commentator John McDonald, and referee Russ Bray tell The Detail how they've watched it go from a boozy pub game to a global event . "I go to Mongolia and do darts in Mongolia," says Bray. "The change is massive." "It's grown beyond anyone's comprehension now," says McDonald. "It's a major sport, second to only the Premier League Football in the United Kingdom, with television ratings that most sports would be envious of. "So it's grown into this enormous global brand and a very, very exciting night out." Heta says when he played his first darts match in a pub at the age of 15, he had no idea that he could make big money from it . "It wasn't until the big boys came over and then finding out that I could compete and from then on I just went on and on and did all the protocols that you need to do to become professional and sure enough I'm back here and I'm one of the big dogs," he says. New Zealand amateur favourite Ben Robb, aka Big Rig, says the game has developed in the years since he first played in a pub. Top level darts now attracts all ages and women, and the money is so "grand" there is a professional mindset. Robb reckons mental strength makes the difference at competitions. "Once everyone learns how to throw a dart it's about being composed, handling big moments, owning the stage and being the big guy. " Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Teenage sensation Luke Littler headlines Auckland Darts Masters
Teenage darts sensation Luke 'The Nuke' Littler is in town, as the World Series of Darts returns to Auckland this weekend at Spark Arena. The 17-year-old is coming in off a victory in last weekend's event in Sydney, where recorded an impressive 8-4 victory over Mike De Decker in the final. However, he didn't quite have it all his own way, almost falling at the first hurdle to top-ranked Kiwi Haupai Puha in the first round. "Haupai is one of the biggest names out there, he's competed in the world champs for a while now," said Littler, who expressed his admiration for the current crop of New Zealand players. Haupai Puha with Luke Littler at the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters. Photo: supplied "You've also got Ben Robb, they want to win in front of their home crowd." Puha, the first New Zealander to earn a PDC Tour Card comes in after winning a DPNZ Pro Tour title in Hamilton. The Kiwi contingent is further bolstered by Robb, Jonny Tata, Mark Cleaver, and John Hurring - all experienced campaigners on the domestic and international circuit. Current world champion Littler, who shot to being the face of the sport despite not even being old enough to vote, said he's become used to the pressure and obligations that come with being a professional athlete. "For myself, it's come naturally. The media attention, it's part of the deal. Every competition, it's the same, with interviews and all of that stuff. I cope with it really well." It's a sentiment shared by fellow big name Luke Humphries, who is the NZ Darts Masters defending champion after winning last year's event in Hamilton. Luke Humphries celebrates. Photo: AFP "It really is nice to come back…the people are always really friendly which is what I love most about this country," said the 30-year-old from Reading, who became world champion in 2024. "I think you find when you go to the countries that don't get (major darts events) so much, they tend to enjoy themselves a bit more. Sometimes in England they take it for granted because they get it 20 times a year." Another contender and crowd favourite is Stephen Bunting, with the 40-year-old enjoying career best form coming in. "I've been working hard behind the scenes, I'm really confident. It's great to be a part of the world series going to all these great cities, you're playing against the best week in, week out," he said. "I've not just doing this for myself, I'm doing it for my family and everyone involved and just enjoying the journey." Stephen Bunting greets the fans on the walk on before the match. Photo: Godfrey Pitt/Photosport Bunting is known for his popular entrance to 'Titanium' by Sia, with the player walk-outs now an integral part of the sport's entertainment factor. "It's very important, the walk outs. It's a huge, huge song and as soon as the crowd starts singing it back it gets a bit emotional. It feels like I'm orchestrating the whole crowd and I feel a lot of love when I'm up on the stage." Another NZ Darts Masters past champion, Welshman Gerwyn Price, will also be wanting to improve his Wollongong form, where he fell to seventh ranked Englishman Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals. Dobey broke new ground in Wollongong, winning through to his first World Series semi-final, and will be making his first appearance in New Zealand at this year's event. PDC International Representatives: Luke Humphries (ENG) Luke Littler (ENG) Stephen Bunting (ENG) Chris Dobey (ENG) Gerwyn Price (WAL) Damon Heta (AUS) Josh Rock (NIL) Mike De Decker (BEL) Oceanic Qualifiers: Oceanic Invites / PDC Tour Card Holders: Haupai Puha (NZL) Simon Whitlock (AUS) DPNZ (DartPlayers New Zealand) Order of Merit Top 3: Jonny Tata (NZL) Mark Cleaver (NZL) John Hurring (NZL) DPNZ Qualifiers (via qualification events): Ben Robb (NZL) Dean Reyland (NZL) DPA (DartPlayers Australia) Order of Merit Leader: Gordon Mathers (AUS)
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
PSG beat Spurs on penalties to become first French side to win Super Cup
Tottenham Hotspur's Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario dives the wrong way as PSG successfully score a penalty during the penalty shootout at the end of the 2025 UEFA Super Cup final. Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP European champions Paris St Germain fought back from 2-0 down with five minutes left to beat Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic UEFA Super Cup. Tottenham looked set to give new manager Thomas Frank a winning start before PSG substitute Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back after 85 minutes and Goncalo Ramos headed the equaliser four minutes into stoppage time to level the scores at 2-2. PSG completed the turnaround in the shootout as Mathys Tel and Micky van de Ven missed for Tottenham and Nuno Mendes stepped up to bury the decisive spot-kick. The PSG players poured on to the pitch in celebration, knowing they had etched their names into history as the first French side to lift the trophy. "It's incredible to win like this. This team once again showed character, even if we're not at our physical best," PSG defender Marquinhos said. "We managed to get the goals we needed through the substitutions, and in the shootout we have players who take their penalties well and a goalkeeper who helped us." Tottenham, who finished 17th in the Premier League last season, took the lead after Van de Ven scored from a rebound and doubled the advantage when Cristian Romero headed home against the French champions, who won their first European Cup in May with a crushing 5-0 final win over Inter Milan. Lee scored with a crisp finish after his side had dominated the closing stages, before Ramos met Ousmane Dembele's pinpoint cross with a diving header to send the game into a shootout. "It's difficult to talk about this match. We trained for only five-six days, it's incredible," PSG coach Luis Enrique said. "For us, it's really special to have won this trophy and to be able to offer it to them." - Reuters
