Luke Littler battling 'awful' Big Fish issue after day with koala bears in Aussie Zoo

The World Champion is soaking up the sights Down Under but it wasn't plain sailing in his World Series opener

Relieved Luke Littler spent a day at the zoo with koala bears and kangaroos before surviving issues with a Big Fish in Australia.

The Nuke scrambled through a last-leg decider in his World Series encounter as he won 6-5 against impressive New Zealander Haupai Puha.

Littler, the reigning World Champion, had to break the throw in the deciding leg having been taken all the way by the Kiwi.

The teenager had a chance to win it in the previous leg, but, having opted to leave a Big Fish 170 checkout, missed it and had to break Puha’s throw to advance into a last-eight meeting with home hero Damon Heta.

Littler struggled to explain why he left the showbiz shot in the penultimate leg as he said: “Yeah, I don’t even know. I think it’s just for myself. Obviously at that point I was 5-4 up. Obviously maybe I should have tried hitting the 180. I knew he had the darts in 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.

“It was a slow start, but that’s what happens when you don’t practise from the Matchplay, not picked up a dart. It’s one of them, it’s first round, 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.”

Littler had the spent prior to the game sightseeing and said: “I went to the zoo. There was koala bears, kangaroos, goats, and yeah, there was just loads. I think for us players, I think it’s good to get out of the hotel. Like 85-90 per cent 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.”

Littler is fighting jet-lag and, speaking straight after his win, said: “Oh, it’s awful. Same as last year. I think 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. It’s 10.25pm, so hopefully I’ll get back and I’ll sleep well.”

Despite the gruelling travels, World No.1 Luke Humphries says it’s important for the top stars to support the events Down Under with a World Series looming in New Zealand next week following the Wollongong tournament.

Littler agreed and said: “I think we’ve got to do most of the World Series. Obviously we’ve seen Michael [van Gerwen] has not been here for another two, three years. I think as of now I’ll do two years, miss a year, two years, miss a year. So yeah, hopefully I can pick up the trophy and come back in 2027.”