Ant Middleton says ‘we crushed’ Sam Burgess on SAS Australia

‘We crushed him’: SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton says he identified Sam Burgess’ biggest weakness and ‘exploited him psychologically and physically’ during the selection course


Retired NRL player Sam Burgess is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars to sign up for this year’s season of SAS Australia.

But it seems the show’s directing staff didn’t ‘play favourites’ or go easy on the ex-Rabbitohs footballer, 32, according to chief instructor Ant Middleton.

Ant, 40, proudly told The Daily Telegraph he and his colleagues, all of whom are former British Special Forces soldiers, ‘crushed’ Sam during the selection course. 

No star treatment here! Former AFL player Sam Burgess is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars to sign up for this season’s SAS Australia – but it appears the recruits didn’t ‘play favourites’ or go easy on the ex-Rabbitohs footballer, 32, according to Ant Middleton

‘Just because he is a big lump, I am not scared to try and push those buttons,’ Ant said, revealing how he rooted out and exploited Sam’s weaknesses.

The Army veteran relentlessly attacked the rugby league prop ‘psychologically and physically’ after discovering the ‘chink in his armour’.

‘We killed him. They [the celebrity recruits] all come thinking they are going to crush the course and ultimately they get crushed,’ he added.

‘We don’t let up on anyone, I don’t care who you are or where you have come from – no one gets any favouritism.’

'We killed him': Ant, 40, proudly said 'we crushed him' when speaking about Sam's stint, before unveiling the athlete's biggest weakness in the competition

‘We killed him’: Ant, 40, proudly said ‘we crushed him’ when speaking about Sam’s stint, before unveiling the athlete’s biggest weakness in the competition

Digging deep: Ant added that he relentlessly went for Sam 'psychologically and physically' after spotting the 'chink in his armour', which apparently unleashed a very interesting outcome. Pictured: Sam and ex-wife Phoebe Burgess

Digging deep: Ant added that he relentlessly went for Sam ‘psychologically and physically’ after spotting the ‘chink in his armour’, which apparently unleashed a very interesting outcome. Pictured: Sam and ex-wife Phoebe Burgess

Ant is returning with fellow directing staff Jason Fox, Matthew Ollerton and Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham for season two of Seven’s SAS Australia.

The new line-up for the competition features a mixture of famous and controversial participants, including Sam, socialite Brynne Edelsten and TV chef Manu Feildel.

Tennis champion Alicia Molik, Home and Away’s Dan Ewing, actress Bonnie Anderson and former politician Emma Husar are also set to compete on the show.

They're back: Ant is returning with fellow DS Jason Fox, Matthew Ollerton and Mark 'Billy' Billingham for season two of Seven's SAS Australia (all pictured)

They’re back: Ant is returning with fellow DS Jason Fox, Matthew Ollerton and Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham for season two of Seven’s SAS Australia (all pictured)

They’ll be joined by TV presenter Erin Holland, AFL star Heath Shaw, actress Isabelle Cornish, Olympian Jana Pittman and Australian sprinter Jessica Peris.

The series will also star Ironman Jett Kenny, Olympic runner John Steffensen, volleyball champion Kerri Pottharst, Bra Boy Koby Abberton, singer Pete Murray and tennis star Mark Philippoussis.

The celebrities will endure strenuous physical activity and military-inspired challenges in order to test their true character.

New cast: Season two's line-up for the military-style competition features a mixture of famous and controversial participants

New cast: Season two’s line-up for the military-style competition features a mixture of famous and controversial participants