The final weekend of the 2026 DPNZ Tour in Auckland brought thrilling darts action and crucial qualifications. Ben “Big Rig” Robb successfully secured his much-anticipated return to the prestigious World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Meanwhile, Jonny Tata clinched the second coveted spot in the ANZ Premier League, and Haupai Puha dominated the weekend, claiming both event titles and boosting his standing for the upcoming 2027 season.
The 2026 DPNZ Tour concluded with an electrifying final weekend in Auckland, where New Zealand’s top darts players battled for highly sought-after spots in major international tournaments. The stakes were high, with qualifications for the World Darts Championship and the ANZ Premier League on the line.
“Big Rig” Robb’s Road to Ally Pally
Heading into the final weekend, Ben “Big Rig” Robb was at the top of the rankings, needing just a Quarter-Final finish in one of the two events – or for his rival Jonny Tata not to win both – to confirm his return to the World Darts Championship. Robb, a prominent figure in Oceanic darts, was determined to reclaim his spot at the iconic Alexandra Palace after missing out last year.
ANZ Premier League Race Heats Up
While Robb’s World Championship qualification was almost certain, the battle for the second spot in the ANZ Premier League was intense. Ben Robb had already secured his place, but Jonny Tata held a significant 1,450-point lead over third-placed Mark Cleaver. A run to the final would be enough for Tata to guarantee his entry into the Premier League.
Event One: Shocks, Triumphs, and Qualification
Saturday’s event kicked off with a large field of 101 entries, progressing from a group stage to a knockout phase for the top 64 players. The day saw unexpected turns and impressive performances.
- Early Shock: The biggest surprise came early when Ben Robb suffered a Last 32 defeat to Josh Roberts, despite Robb boasting a 9-point higher average. This unexpected loss opened a window for Jonny Tata, who now had a clearer path to put pressure on Robb in the World Championship race – but only if Tata could win the entire event.
- Roberts’ Resurgence: Josh Roberts, after his impressive win against Robb, continued his strong run all the way to the Semi-Finals, marking his best performance in three years. He eventually fell to Haupai Puha.
- Tata Secures Premier League Spot: Jonny Tata reached the final, a crucial achievement that officially secured his spot in the ANZ Premier League. This was a significant milestone for Tata, ensuring his participation in one of the region’s premier darts events.
- Puha Claims First Title of 2026: The final saw “Hopes” Haupai Puha triumph over Jonny Tata in a thrilling deciding leg, sealed with a 14-darter. This victory marked Puha’s 21st DPNZ Title overall and his first of the 2026 season. Crucially, Puha’s win meant Ben Robb had now officially qualified for the 2027 World Darts Championship, as Tata did not win the event.
Performance Highlight: The standout performance of the first event came from Brian Bullen, who achieved an impressive 93.94 average in his group stage win against Craig Morris.
Event Two: Double Delight for Puha, 2027 Order of Merit Boost
With the World Championship and ANZ Premier League spots largely settled after Saturday’s events, the final tournament of the year carried less immediate pressure but remained vital. Results from this event would contribute significantly to the 2027 Order of Merit, impacting future qualifications.
- Elite Semi-Finals: The Semi-Finals featured arguably New Zealand’s top four players: Haupai Puha, Ben Robb, Jonny Tata, and Mark Cleaver, promising high-quality darts.
- Puha’s Dominance Continues: Despite the strong competition, the final was a repeat of the previous day, with Haupai Puha once again defeating Jonny Tata in a deciding leg. This secured Puha his 22nd DPNZ title and his second win of the weekend, ending his 2026 season on a high note. This strong finish significantly boosted his ranking for the start of the 2027 season.
Performance Highlight: Jonny Tata delivered the best performance of the final event, recording an outstanding 100.2 average in his group stage victory over Callum McManus.
Robb’s World Championship Return and ANZ Premier League Prospects
Ben Robb, who made his World Championship debut in 2020 but missed out last year, has now secured his return to the biggest stage in darts. Having previously faced tough opponents like Meulenkamp, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, Mansell, Veenstra, and Scutt, Robb will be eager to secure his first-ever win at the World Championships in December.
The same formidable Kiwi duo, Ben Robb and Jonny Tata, are set to return to the ANZ Premier League later this month. In the inaugural event last year, Robb exited in the group stage, finishing sixth. Tata, however, had a stronger run, finishing second in the league phase before narrowly losing to darts legend Simon Whitlock in the play-off Semi-Finals.
Important Note: The winner of the ANZ Premier League earns a direct qualification spot for both the World Darts Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts, making it a highly significant tournament. The 2026 ANZ Premier League kicks off on September 26th, featuring five league nights before the play-offs in Brisbane on Halloween.
Looking Ahead: World Masters and 2028 Race
The top eight players from the DPNZ Order of Merit also qualify for the preliminary rounds of the 2027 Winmau World Masters. These qualifiers include Ben Robb, Jonny Tata, Haupai Puha, Mark Cleaver, Kayden Milne, Jack Sheppard, Jaymie Hilton-Jones, and Jordan Bennett-Davies. However, due to the relatively low prize money of £750 for the first round, none of these DPNZ qualifiers chose to attend the event this year.
As the 2026 season concludes, Haupai Puha is already leading the charge in the early stages of the race for the 2028 World Darts Championship qualification, thanks to his dominant weekend performance. The DPNZ Tour will resume with more exciting action in February/March of next year.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
