Kiwi darts Haupai Puha says it's a dream come true to represent New Zealand at the upcoming Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Cup of Darts in Germany.
Puha will don the Silver Fern for the first time in his career, when New Zealand face debutants Lithuania in the 32-team knockout tournament on Friday (NZT).
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The 34-year-old will become the eighth to represent New Zealand, when he steps up to the oche alongside teammate Cody Harris, who is competing in his fourth consecutive World Cup.
Puha booked his ticket to the event at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, after dominating the DartPlayers New Zealand circuit, competing in nine of the 14 finals during the 2018/19 season and winning eight of them.
"It's an honour and privilege to represent my family and country at the World Cup," he told Newshub.
"I feel as though I can't be any better prepared for it and I'm feeling confident in my game."
And he has every reason to feel confident, as he won Event 21 on the DartPlayers Australia circuit, two days before flying out to Germany.
The result sees 'Hopes' sit third in the standings, in a competition that features the best players in Australasia, with eight events to play.
But Puha knows the World Cup will be a different beast, not only because it's his first World Cup event, but it's also his first darting event outside of Australasia.
He believes playing alongside Harris, who is experienced on the big stage, will be crucial, if New Zealand wants to reach the second round for the first time since 2015 and just the third time since the tournament started in 2010.
"This is my first trip out of Australasia. I am excited [to compete], but not so about how long it takes to get there.
"It will be easier, knowing Cody is with me. He's experienced and he's been playing very good of late.
"I'm not nervous at all. I'm going to play like I'm in the garage, practicing just like I always do."
While Puha might not know what to expect, it will be the exact same for New Zealand's opponents Lithuania, who are competing in their first World Cup.
Puha and Harris will face Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas in a best-of-nine legs doubles match.
While Labanauskas and Barauskas are new to the World Cup stage, they've had the luxury of playing in pairs together across the Nordic and Baltic regions.
The winners will meet sixth-seed Northern Ireland or South Africa in the round of 16, where the tournament moves into singles and doubles format.
"I don't know much about Lithuania, but I've noticed Labanauskas playing well on the tour before the draw came out," Puha added. "I'm really looking forward to it."
While the tournament will present new opportunities, Puha is hopeful this experience will be a springboard to bigger things down the road, with an eye on Q-School next year, where he'd compete for a PDC Tour Card.
"I think the Auckland Dart Masters was my biggest tournament, as it was my first taste of television darts.
"It's just another stepping stone in my ultimate goal of playing on the tour and if it goes to plan, I will go to Q-school at the end of this year."
Newshub.
