Former rugby union hooker Gerwyn Price – the first Welshman to make the world darts championship final – and two-time champion Gary Anderson insist they will put past tensions aside when they clash for the $1 million first price.
Price lived up to his Iceman nickname as he came from 3-1 down to beat England’s Stephen Bunting by six sets to four in the first PDC world championships semifinal at London’s Alexandra Palace on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).
He will meet Scotland’s Anderson, who beat England rival Dave Chisnall six sets to four in the later playoff match.
Price and Anderson clashed verbally when the Welshman won a bad-tempered World Grand Slam of Darts final in Wolverhampton in 2018, with the Scot accusing his opponent of slow play and over-exuberant celebrations.
Asked in a PDC Darts Twitter interview after his win over Chisnall, how he expected the atmosphere to be in the final, Anderson said: “I will be quiet, and he will be loud’’.
But he acknowledged Price “played well tonight’’.
Price was also unfazed at the prospect of a rematch. “I’m more experienced now, it was a few years ago,’’ he said after beating Bunting.
“There was a bit of needle [then], but we are both professional. I’m just going to go up there and give it my all and play my game like I play every other time.’’
The 35-year-old, who won the World Grand Prix and World Series Finals titles in 2020, said in a post-match television interview that it was “the best I played this tournament, and I needed to”.
“Stephen was brilliant in his finishing, and he punished me.”
Price – who played rugby in Wales’ Premier League and had a brief PRO12 stint with the Glasgow Warriors – won the first set but Bunting- dubbed The Bullet – took the next three before the Welshman mounted his comeback.
“I’m glad I played a little bit better and got through that game. I’m here to win this tournament and I’ve got every chance of winning this tomorrow,” said Price, who felt he was “full of beans and full of confidence” after his rally.
“I seem to find that little edge when I need to and I think the better someone plays against me, the better I play.’’
