If Luke Littler’s post-match gauntlet—“He’s gotta be up for it because I’m always up for a good game”—was the spark, then Josh Rock just poured the petrol. The Northern Irish powerhouse, still shaking off the rust from a gritty 10-9 grind past Connor Scutt, hit back with a message that’s got the Aldersley Village humming: respect, rivalry, and a whole lot of fire.
“Bring your A-game, Luke – I’m bringing mine. No fear, just fun. Let’s make it another Blackpool belter.”
Rock dropped the line in a quick-fire Viaplay interview just after midnight, his trademark grin masking the steel in his eyes. It’s a direct riposte to Littler’s Matchplay nod, where the pair traded 180s and nine-darters in a 18-16 semi-final epic that had Blackpool on its feet. “Luke knows I don’t back down,” Rock added, towel around his neck. “He’s the champ, the favourite—fair play. But I’ve won majors too. This oche? It’s ours tomorrow.”
The quote in full (Viaplay NL, 00:12am)
Rock, fresh from a 14-dart hold on double 9 that sealed his quarter-final ticket, didn’t mince words:
“Luke’s message? Love it—he’s always got that edge. But yeah, I’m up for it. Bring your A-game, Luke – I’m bringing mine. No fear, just fun. Let’s make it another Blackpool belter. I’ve been in the trenches with him before; he edges it, but one slip and it’s mine. World No.1? That’s his dream. Mine? Beating the best.”
It’s peak Rock: humble hustle with a hint of menace. The 23-year-old, who stunned the world with a nine-darter vs MvG in this very tournament back in 2022, enters as the underdog but leaves no doubt—he’s here to dethrone.
Littler’s original shot across the bow (Sky Sports, 22:15 last night)
For context, the Nuke’s words after his 10-4 demolition of Wessel Nijman (105.38 average, four 100+ checkouts):
“Josh is a tough one, we know that from the Matchplay. But he’s gotta be up for it because I’m always up for a good game. If someone plays their best darts, they might catch me, but tonight felt very good. I have my eyes on everything—the title, world No.1. I know if I get to the final, I’ll be world No.1, so I’m taking it game by game and hopefully Josh and I can have another good game like the Matchplay.”
Littler’s eyes? Locked on Humphries’ throne. A final run catapults him to the top spot before Ally Pally.
Rock’s rollercoaster to the quarters: Grit over glamour
Rock’s win over Scutt was anything but pretty—16 treble-less visits, a 92.14 average that had him shaking his head post-match. “Grateful to be here, but that wasn’t me,” he admitted on Sky. “Against Luke? I’ll find the trebles. He brings it out in me.” It’s his fifth major quarter-final of 2025, including World Cup gold with Daryl Gurney, but zero titles since the Dutch Darts Championship. Time to flip the script.
Their friendship? Deeper than the rivalry. Rock revealed they bonded pre-Tour Card in Killarney, swapping tips over pints. “We’re mates off the board,” Rock said. “But on it? Gloves off.”
Head-to-head: A rivalry in the making
| Match | Score | Venue/Event | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 World Matchplay SF | Littler 18-16 | Winter Gardens, Blackpool | Rock’s nine-darter; Littler’s 112 avg final set |
| 2024 Grand Slam Groups | Littler 5-3 | Aldersley Village | Rock’s 140 barrage; Nuke’s double 16 ice |
| 2023 Players Champ 15 | Rock 6-4 | Hildesheim | Rock’s debut win over Littler |
| Overall H2H | Littler 4-1 | – | Littler: 103.2 avg; Rock: 99.8 |
Rock’s lone win? A gritty upset two years back. But with Littler chasing history (back-to-back Grand Slam glory), expect Rock to channel that 2022 breakout energy.
The stakes: £25k, semis glory, and a No.1 twist
- For Rock: £25,000, deepest Grand Slam run since his debut nine-darter, and a scalp that silences the “next Nuke” whispers.
- For Littler: Semi spot, £25k, and the rocket to world No.1 (final clinches it). Fourth back-to-back champ ever? Taylor, MvG, Price… and The Nuke?
- The stage: Best-of-31 legs, Friday 7pm (Sky Sports). Crowd? 70/30 for the hometown hero.
Bookies’ heat (Sky Bet, noon): Littler 1/3; Rock 5/2; Rock to steal a set 11/10; 9-darter special 6/1.
TL;DR for the group chat
Copy-paste:
“Josh Rock to Luke Littler: ‘Bring your A-game – I’m bringing mine. No fear, just fun’ 🔥
Rematch alert: Nuke vs Rockstar, QF thriller Friday.
H2H 4-1 Littler, but Josh’s hungry for Blackpool revenge. World No.1 or NI upset? #GrandSlamDarts”
Bottom line
Rock’s message? It’s not just talk—it’s a promise. Littler wants the crown; Rock wants the chaos. In a tournament that’s already seen MvG dumped and Humphries battle back spasms, this quarter-final could steal the show. Wolverhampton’s primed for pandemonium: two young guns, one oche, zero mercy. Who blinks first?
Want the full Viaplay clip (Rock’s grin mid-message is electric), the Blackpool semi highlights for warmup, or fan-made “Rock vs Nuke 2” memes?
