Two are two Invercargill locals, one of whom has been playing darts seriously for only five years.
But could it be a clash of David-and-Goliath proportions when dairy farmer Tahi Parata and freezing worker Warren Parry play Phil ''The Power'' Taylor in Invercargill this weekend?
The southern hopefuls are realistic about their chances of toppling the giant during the first leg of the new Australasian King of Darts series at Stadium Southland on Sunday and Monday.
''I'm pretty nervous right now. It's going to take some incredible darts to beat him. I can't see myself doing it, to be honest,'' Parata said.
''My goal is just to be noticed and to be proud of myself and to make my family and friends proud.''
Parry said he would do his best, describing Taylor and the other United Kingdom visitor - world No 3 Adrian ''Jackpot'' Lewis - as ''formidable opponents''.
There are eight competitors in the series - Taylor and Lewis, two Australians and four New Zealanders - playing in Invercargill, Wellington and Sydney before the finals in Sydney next week.
Parata and Parry, who both play at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club, say their aim is to reach the top six and take home a share of the $100,000 prize pool.
Parata (31) took up the sport only five years ago and stuck with it when he found he was good at it.
He fought his way into the King of Darts series by winning a qualifying tournament in Timaru last year.
Parry has played for 27 years, represented New Zealand for many years and has competed in three Professional Darts Corporation world championships.
In September, he stunned the darts fraternity when he beat world No 1 Dutchman Michael van Gerwen at the Sydney Masters tournament.
The wildcard entry for the King of Darts series has met Taylor before, although he has never played him.
''He's a good guy to talk to. He's pretty down to earth.''
But Parry, who turns 51 tomorrow, says he has not managed to win anything like Taylor's fortune.
''Twelve million? I'd be lucky if I've made 12 [dollars]. Playing darts has cost me money.''
Invercargill was not originally on the King of Darts schedule, Dart Players New Zealand administrator Dale Frampton said.
Frampton, of Invercargill, was helping find a venue in Christchurch but switched his attentions to Invercargill's new stadium when the Christchurch location fell through.
He said he was not sure initially Invercargill could attract a big enough audience.
''I didn't want it to fall flat. The promoters are looking at this as a footprint for a regular Australasian circuit and it needs to go well.''
Darts, once considered merely a pub pastime, had entered a different league with professional tournaments designed with a ''party atmosphere'' to attract live audiences, and screened to global television audiences, Frampton said.
''Ultimately, darts is a [spectator] numbers game.
''When people heard we were trying to get Phil Taylor to Invercargill they said it would never happen. But it's happening.''
Close to 3000 tickets had been sold already and spectators were coming from all over New Zealand, he said. As of Tuesday, about 700 seats were still available.
