It’s one of the most physically and mentally taxing reality shows we’ve ever seen on our screens, but rather than one sole winner, three recruits have emerged victorious from the 2020 SAS Australia selection process.
Chief instructor Ant Middleton informed rugby player and former Bachelor Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins, comedian Merrick Watts and AFLW player Sabrina Frederick that they had all passed the course, following James Magnussen’s elimination.
After two weeks of intensity, there were tears, hugs and even the Directing Staff couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces as the trio celebrated together.
“To get through with Merrick and Sabrina, just an amazing experience,” mused “Number Six” Nick. “I feel like I’ve learned a truckload, I’ve learned about myself too. Definitely bulletproof for life, for sure!”
Meanwhile “Number 14” Sabrina confessed: “I have so much respect for the SAS to embark on this and to pass selection. For them to embrace me as one of their own, I will never be able to explain how much that means to me.”
A delighted Merrick, who was known as “Number 10” throughout the process, remarked: “To pass it and to get through it and survive it is one of the greatest achievements I’ve ever had in my entire career.”
“I did this course to rebuild my own confidence and to show myself my own capabilities but I ended wanting to learn more about the soldiers that sacrifice what they do and how hard it is for them to give over so much of their lives for us.”
They may have made the grade, but all three confessed they would never go through the SAS selection process again in their lives.
“Although I am so glad I got the opportunity, I am still human and it was bloody tough so it would depend on what day I got asked,” Sabrina confessed.
“It was an unreal experience, but probably not,” Nick admitted. “If there was a whole new level of toughness, I’d be tempted to challenge myself again but no, I won’t be rushing back anytime soon.”
After admitting he wouldn’t do it again, Merrick explained: “I can’t imagine there being a tougher test. This is not a game, it’s not even a TV show. It is life or death at times and the risks are real.”
Despite making it through all of the challenges and interrogations and “pulling it out of the bag at the last moment”, swimmer James Magnussen didn’t pass selection.
“He’s not emotional,” DS Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox stated. “Sometimes it’s the emotion that drives you to dig deep and being emotion-less has been his Achilles’ heel.”
After handing over his number, chief instructor Ant had some kind words to say to “Number 12”.
“You should hold your head up high, you’ve succeeded in your own right.”
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