SAS Australia 2021 has come to a dramatic conclusion after finding out which celebrity recruits successfully passed the Special Forces selection course in the nail-biting finale.
Mark Philippoussis, Sam Burgess and John Steffensen tackled one brutal final challenge, where they they were made to hang from a rope for a minute and a half over a deep gorge.
The challenge proved particularly tough for NRL star Sam, who had been suffering from a prolonged shoulder injury that dated back to his rugby days.
Still, each of the final three recruits successfully completed the final challenge and in turn, the course.
But it came as a huge shock to fans of the show to learn that only one of the celebrities had actually passed the intense two-week challenge.
Chief Instructor Ant Middleton revealed that Sam was the only recruit from the show who was both physically and mentally fit enough for the SAS.
“In that final moment, we take absolutely everything into account from day one,” Ant explained.
As for Mark and John, he said it was “just that one per cent that lacked” across the whole course, but commended them on their efforts.
Who Else Left The Course During The Final Episode?
Despite making the final five recruits, Dan Ewing and Jana Pittman were both cut loose by the DS during the episode.
The first phase in the recruits’ final 24 hours was testing their attention to detail. They were required to relay specific details about their captors following a kidnapping stint to prove their diligence.
Unfortunately, Dan misunderstood the assignment. The former Home and Away actor created a bizarre backstory instead of describing the ambush site to the DS.
“You will not be going forward to the next phase,” DS Ollie Ollerton told Dan afterward. “Your time is over.”
Still, the 35-year-old was impressed he was the last non-athlete standing in the course.
“I’ve got a few battle scars,” he admitted.
He also confessed that he learned when and where exhibiting ego is acceptable, something he’d previously been pulled up for by the DS.
Jana’s Final Moments
Ant revealed that “the war [was] over” for Jana following an intense extraction task.
The dual Olympian’s exhaustion got the better of her during the exercise and had failed to keep up with her allocated partner, Mark.
“Outstanding effort,” Ant commended the mum-of-four. “We’re all super proud of you.”
Jana revealed that she was “disappointed” that she didn’t pass, but “gave everything” she had.
“It’s been an extraordinary journey.”
SAS Australia will return in 2022 with a brand new cast of celebrity recruits. In the meantime, SAS Australia: Hell Week is coming with everyday Australians slated to tackle to Special Forces Selection course!
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