Josh Rock is set to return as team captain for Northern Ireland alongside Daryl Gurney as they look to repeat the success of last year at the World Cup of Darts. He touched on how his and Gurney's relationship got them over the line with the excitement brewing for a title defence.
The final was a hugely dramatic one. It went to a last-leg decider where a brilliant leg of darts from both players managed to get the better of Wales as they secured a first World Cup title for their country. In Rock's case, his only ever major title. Speaking on Sky Sports, he was hopeful to triumph again in Frankfurt. "It's very, very special for me and Daryl," he began. "It was the first time we partnered up together and we ended up winning the World Cup. When you put that jersey on for your country, as Paul knows from playing for Australia, it's very special and you really want to do well for your country."
Those emotional and jubilant scenes have been regularly viewed by Rock in the months that have followed. "About a million times, I think," he exclaimed. "I was just a proud Northern Irishman winning the World Cup for our country. It was probably one of the tightest World Cup finals we've ever seen, and to be part of it was great. I really didn't want that much pressure at the end, though. I thought we had the game under control. It would've been nice if it had been a little easier on us, but when you're up against one of the best partnerships in darts, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, you know what you're facing."
He stated the importance of having someone that he gets along with and works well together rather than lumping some individuals together. "It's obviously not a singles event—it's a team event. I think it depends on how close you are with your partner. Me and Daryl are very, very close off stage and behind the scenes, and I think that's why we clicked so well. I did all the scoring, he did the finishing, so hopefully that happens again this year." This showed in that final leg last year. Gurney hit a 180 before a magnificent 171 by Rock left the former world number three on double eight. "The whole tournament I was tasked with hitting the big scores because I learned in pairs matches that if I hit a big score, it gives me a couple of seconds to settle myself down while the other players are throwing," he commented. "In that situation, Daryl hit a 180, then Gezzy hit a 180 and gave it plenty. I was just trying to keep my emotions under control. When I hit the 171, I looked over at my best friend and his dad, and that was it."
While other teams get along well internally, it is about producing it on stage. 'Rocky' used the England duo of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries as an example. "The two Lukes get on well, but last year was their first tournament together as a partnership. They had to learn how to become a team rather than just two individuals. Me and Daryl really wanted to play together and were looking forward to it. We proved that last year and hopefully we'll do our best to retain the title this year. That said, I think it's going to be tougher than it was last year." He does not pay attention to what anyone else is doing. "Not really. Me and Daryl walked in together and left together at the World Cup last year. We went for lunch together, dinner together—pretty much did everything together. I'd imagine we'll do the same again this year. We don't really pay attention to what other teams are doing." If it is not broken, do not fix it. "I'm not really a superstitious person, but I wouldn't be surprised if Daryl wanted to go back to the same places."
