Analysis: Heta flies the flag for Australia as he threatens to be only Oceania representative on tour

Despite all of this, there is one thing blocking Heta's path to the best in the world: his TV form. Apart from a UK Open semi-final last year, it is mostly full of early exits and disappointing performances. An example is in the previous World Championships, where even though he sent Ally Pally (and Luke Woodhouse) berserk with a nine darter, he could only muster up an 89 average in a 4-3 loss to the Englishman.

He will be hoping to turn those fortunes around as we get into the major season, with Heta in prime position to qualify for the Grand Prix, Players and European Championships. Success in these would also put him in the Grand Slam, another motivation to get himself off the board.

With talks about Premier League's surrounding Heta, there is no chance that he will be leaving anytime soon. Australia are in safe hands with The Heat at the helm.

Puha in danger of losing tour card

Like Heta and Australia, Haupai Puha currently carries the New Zealand flag alone. He has been in the PDC since 2024, when he successfully won a tour card from Q School. This gives him two years to cement his place in the top 64 and become a regular on the tour.

Unfortunately, things have not worked out that way as of yet. Currently languishing in 94th, Puha desperately needs to find some wins to launch himself up the order of merit if he wants to keep his tour card.

He has only managed one round four appearance this year on the Pro Tour. Failure to get deep in these competitions has resulted in him falling to 102nd in the Pro Tour order of merit. This means the New Zealander needs over £15,000 to get into the top 64, with Canadian Matt Campbell currently sitting in the last remaining slot. His failure to qualify for any European Tour events may also cost him the chance to regain his tour card, only playing in two events in 2024 - both resulted in first-round exits.

Unless he qualifies for these major tournaments and goes on deep runs in them (including World Championships), the most likely way Puha would regain his tour card would be Q School. If this happens, then we will only see one player from Oceania play on the PDC circuit.

Puha has a chance to prove that he can play with the best at the World Series events in both Australia and New Zealand. This money will not go on his order of merit, but it would give him a confidence boost going into an important part of his career.