Latest news with #HaupaiPuha
Canberra Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Canberra Times
Aussie darts star set for Gong clash with fenom Littler
It earned him a mouth-watering last-eight clash with the English teenage phenomenon Littler, who was far from his best as he had to survive being taken to the last leg by New Zealand's world No.94 Haupai Puha before emerging with a 6-5 victory.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Luke Littler explains ‘disrespectful' act against Haupai Puha at Australian Darts Masters
LUKE LITTLER has explained why he threw a one against Haupai Puha at the Australian Darts Masters. The Nuke's throw was slammed by fans as "disrespectful" as he left himself 170 in the 10th leg down under. 1 Littler, 18, was trailing in the leg to Puha and had 291 to hit as he approached the oche. He hit two treble 20s but instead of going for another one he threw a one to leave himself a big fish finish. Puha only has 121 to win the leg and put real pressure on the world champion heading into the final leg. Fortunately, he missed, and Luke was able to wrap up the match. But some fans were left unimpressed by the Warrington thrower's actions as they reacted on social media. One posted: "Single 1 on 171 on purpose to leave 170 is just disrespectful towards your opponent imo." A second wrote: "It's just stupid. Saw him going 9s on 179. It doesn't make sense." A third commented: "I understand it's a glorified exhibition but Haupai is a tour card holder and this comp will mean a lot to him due to where it's being held." Others did not see Littler as being disrespectful but instead "confident in his own ability" and that he just wants to "entertain". Littler was quizzed about his motivations for setting up the big fish finishes after the match. He explained: "I don't even know - I think it's just for myself. "Obviously, at that point I was 5-4 up, maybe I should have tried hitting the 180 because I knew that Haupai had the darts for the last leg. "But I just thought I'd try and leave it [the 170] and try and finish it. "If not, I'd have to break the throw in the last leg."
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Luke Littler survives scare in Australian Darts Masters to reach quarter-finals
The world champion was looking like he would exit a World Series event at the first hurdle for the first time as he laboured against world number 94 Haupai Puha. The New Zealander was the better player and had the darts at 5-5, but had to watch Littler showcase his champion's instinct and claim the deciding leg for a 6-5 victory. Luke Littler survives a scare! The World Champion defies a spirited display from New Zealand's number one Haupai Puha to move through to Finals Day in Wollongong!#AusMasters | R1 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) August 8, 2025 Littler admitted he did not go into the game with the best preparation. 'It wasn't the best from myself, but that's what happens in the first game,' he told ITV X. 'It's not always the prettiest, but I am happy to get over the line. 'I had to grind it out, I'll be honest, not much practice has been put in, people don't see behind the scenes, body clock, not sleeping, it has an effect.' A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc) Littler will play Damon Heta in the last eight, while world number one Luke Humphries will take on Mike De Decker. Humphries also had a slow start in his match against New Zealander Jonny Tata, losing the first two legs, but came back to win 6-3. Defending champion Gerwyn Price, who beat Littler in last year's final, got off to a winning start, beating Joe Comito 6-3 while top seed Stephen Bunting saw off Brody Klinge. Heta won 6-0, while there were also wins for Josh Rock, De Decker and Chris Dobey.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler jumping for joy at Australian Darts Master after experiencing ‘things that we probably won't ever do again'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER hopes he is jumping for joy at the Australian Darts Masters – after a day feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas. The Nuke made hard work of his first appearance Down Under this summer as he eventually knocked out New Zealander Haupai Puha 6-5 following minimal practice. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Luke Littler visited a zoo with Faith Millar Credit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler 4 He is set to compete in the Australian Darts Masters Credit: Getty The round-one tie went to a deciding leg and Littler, 18, averaged only 91.80 – well below his best – and squandered 13 of his 19 checkout attempts. Being nine hours ahead of the UK, the jetlag has been an issue since he arrived in the country and he said he needed a decent kip. Yet he has tried to make most of the popular tourist attractions, visiting Sydney's Opera House and then seeing the exotic animals at the Wollongong Zoo with girlfriend Faith. Littler said: 'How's the jetlag? Oh, it's awful. Same as last year. Not slept too much over here. READ MORE ON DARTS PRICE HAS DROPPED Darts star reveals two-stone transformation after calling out Jake Paul 'I think I just stay up as long as you can until it's a suitable time to go to bed and that's what I've been trying to do. I feel okay now. Hopefully, I will sleep well. 'I went to the Opera. I went to the zoo in Wollongong. There were koala bears, we fed kangaroos, fed goats, and yeah, there were just loads of them all. 'I think for us players, I think it's good to get out of the hotel. 'Like 85-90% of the time, we're just stuck in a hotel, so it's good to get out and experience things that we probably won't ever do again.' SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Wellington-born Puha, 40, will be kicking himself for not knocking out wasteful Littler, especially as he led 2-0 and 4-3 in the race to six legs and threw first in the decider The world No.94, who is set to lose his Tour Card, averaged 88.29 as Littler, like he did during his World Matchplay-winning run, started off sluggishly. Luke Littler hits sensational nine-darter to send Blackpool darts crowd wild His record of never losing in the first round of one of these global tournaments remains intact – for now at least. There is a determination to lift this £30,000 World Series of Darts crown given he was pumped 8-1 in the final 12 months ago by Gerwyn Price. Littler – who now plays top Aussie Damon Heta – said: 'It was a slow start but that's what happens when you don't practise from the Matchplay. Not picked up a dart. 'It wasn't the best from myself. That's what happens in the first game, it's not always the prettiest. I had to grind it out. 4 Littler beat New Zealander Haupai Puha Credit: Getty 4 Luke Humphries will play Belgian ace Mike De Decker Credit: Getty 'It's never easy against anyone and it's always good to just get off to a good start. 'I've just been chilling out and doing what I usually do. But now I'm here, it's down to work.' Luke Humphries's lack of match practice showed as he came from behind to beat New Zealander Jonny Tata 6-3. When the world No.1 nailed the winning double five, he pointed to the skies but he declined to elaborate on the meaning. Asked about the significance of his actions, Cool Hand Luke said: 'Yeah, I can't talk about it right now. You'll find out. It's just bad news today that's all. 'I will enjoy these events with my dad. It's been hard for my dad recently. 'He has been going through a lot with other things that everyone will find out about soon. 'It has not been easy for him. So, it's nice to come over here and have a bit of time out. 'I'm on holiday straightaway, for 10 days, after I come back from New Zealand. After that I will put the practice in.' Humphries, 30, now plays Belgian Mike De Decker, who complained about the cold conditions in his 6-2 win over Australian Brandon Weening. The Real Deal, who averaged a pitiful 80.33, says he will wash his hands in hot water before the quarter-final clash, over the best of 11 legs, on Saturday at the WIN Entertainment Centre. No.1 seed Stephen Bunting will play Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price, who wore an Australia gold-coloured shirt, faces Chris Dobey in the other quarters as all eight PDC stars progressed.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Luke Littler jumping for joy at Australian Darts Master after experiencing ‘things that we probably won't ever do again'
LUKE LITTLER hopes he is jumping for joy at the Australian Darts Masters – after a day feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas. The Nuke made hard work of his first appearance Down Under this summer as he eventually knocked out New Zealander Haupai Puha 6-5 following minimal practice. 4 4 The round-one tie went to a deciding leg and Littler, 18, averaged only 91.80 – well below his best – and squandered 13 of his 19 checkout attempts. Being nine hours ahead of the UK, the jetlag has been an issue since he arrived in the country and he said he needed a decent kip. Yet he has tried to make most of the popular tourist attractions, visiting Sydney's Opera House and then seeing the exotic animals at the Wollongong Zoo with girlfriend Faith. Littler said: 'How's the jetlag? Oh, it's awful. Same as last year. Not slept too much over here. 'I think I just stay up as long as you can until it's a suitable time to go to bed and that's what I've been trying to do. I feel okay now. Hopefully, I will sleep well. 'I went to the Opera. I went to the zoo in Wollongong. There were koala bears, we fed kangaroos, fed goats, and yeah, there were just loads of them all. 'I think for us players, I think it's good to get out of the hotel. 'Like 85-90% of the time, we're just stuck in a hotel, so it's good to get out and experience things that we probably won't ever do again.' Wellington-born Puha, 40, will be kicking himself for not knocking out wasteful Littler, especially as he led 2-0 and 4-3 in the race to six legs and threw first in the decider The world No.94, who is set to lose his Tour Card, averaged 88.29 as Littler, like he did during his World Matchplay-winning run, started off sluggishly. His record of never losing in the first round of one of these global tournaments remains intact – for now at least. There is a determination to lift this £30,000 World Series of Darts crown given he was pumped 8-1 in the final 12 months ago by Gerwyn Price. Littler – who now plays top Aussie Damon Heta – said: 'It was a slow start but that's what happens when you don't practise from the Matchplay. Not picked up a dart. 'It wasn't the best from myself. That's what happens in the first game, it's not always the prettiest. I had to grind it out. 4 4 'It's never easy against anyone and it's always good to just get off to a good start. 'I've just been chilling out and doing what I usually do. But now I'm here, it's down to work.' Luke Humphries 's lack of match practice showed as he came from behind to beat New Zealander Jonny Tata 6-3. When the world No.1 nailed the winning double five, he pointed to the skies but he declined to elaborate on the meaning. Asked about the significance of his actions, Cool Hand Luke said: 'Yeah, I can't talk about it right now. You'll find out. It's just bad news today that's all. 'I will enjoy these events with my dad. It's been hard for my dad recently. 'He has been going through a lot with other things that everyone will find out about soon. 'It has not been easy for him. So, it's nice to come over here and have a bit of time out. 'I'm on holiday straightaway, for 10 days, after I come back from New Zealand. After that I will put the practice in.' Humphries, 30, now plays Belgian Mike De Decker, who complained about the cold conditions in his 6-2 win over Australian Brandon Weening. The Real Deal, who averaged a pitiful 80.33, says he will wash his hands in hot water before the quarter-final clash, over the best of 11 legs, on Saturday at the WIN Entertainment Centre. No.1 seed Stephen Bunting will play Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price, who wore an Australia gold-coloured shirt, faces Chris Dobey in the other quarters as all eight PDC stars progressed.
