"I was like, well, he's having fun I'll join the party": Josh Rock embraces all the World Series has to offer

Josh Rock booked his place in the next round of the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters and admitted he enjoyed the occasion on stage — even if he felt his performance wasn’t at its best.

Speaking after his win over John Hurring, Rock said in his press conference: “John was having a bit of fun and I was like, well, he’s having fun, I’ll join the party. I like to have fun too. I did it the first time, obviously with the hands up for the 180 and I had it. So yeah, I just enjoyed it up there. I know I didn’t play great, but my hand was very cold from the start and I couldn’t get it warm.”

Rock believes the World Series format allows for more interaction with the fans. “Of course you can,” he said when asked about engaging with the crowd. “We’re here to do a job, but at the same time the World Series is all about enjoyment because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the PDC. John was enjoying it, so I enjoyed it too.”

Despite never looking in danger during the match, Rock admitted the cold affected him throughout. “I couldn’t get my hand warm at all,” he said. “There was no breeze, but the arena just felt cold and I couldn’t get my hand warm. I kept blowing on my hand to heat it up. Maybe tomorrow when I play, I might bring a hand warmer just to be safe.”

Away from the oche, the trip has been memorable for Rock and his wife, though the Northern Irishman admitted the family pull is strong. “We’re loving the experience, but I think obviously her being a mother, she’s missing the babies. So I think it’s nearly time to go home. Luckily, it’s towards the end.”

Reflecting on last week’s mixed results, Rock said: “It’s just one of those things. Stephen didn’t play his game at all — he just hit the doubles when he had to, and he only had two shots and that was it. He just couldn’t get going at all. The same was there tonight — he couldn’t get going. It’s just darts. I don’t know if the time difference is creeping up on me or not, but I’m just here to enjoy the darts.”

Even with a 99.87 average in the match, Rock wasn’t convinced it was one of his better displays. “I don’t think I was playing that well at all,” he said. “I didn’t look at the averages and you’re saying I averaged 100 — I didn’t feel like I played great. John didn’t perform the way he probably can, but I’ve never seen him play before. As I said, he was up there to enjoy it, showing off with the crowd, and I thought — he’s had his fun, I’m going to have mine — and I did.”

Rock also spoke about feeling comfortable on the World Series stage despite being one of the newer faces. “Everybody gets on with me,” he explained. “I’m just me, so I can fit in any room you put me into. I talk away to everybody, I’m happy. As long as the PDC keep putting me in these — gratefully — I’m happy.”

Looking ahead to the next match, Rock is determined to avoid a repeat of last week’s early exit. “It was just one of those things. I just couldn’t get going at all. It’s all on the day for any player. I’ll be better tomorrow than I was last week — at least I’ll have won one leg.”