Reality TV war continues between Masked Singer, SAS Australia and The Block

Aussies were stunned when Lote Tuqiri was revealed as pinata on The Masked Singer, but was it ratings gold? Seven and Nine’s results tell a different story.

There’s still no clear winner in the ratings war between SAS Australia and The Masked Singer.

Some 703,000 viewers in the capital cities (983,000 nationally) tuned into see rugby legend Lote Tuquiri unmasked as the Pinata, with an average of 567,000 metro (784,000 nationally) for the Channel 10 bonkers singing show. While on Seven’s SAS, 620,000 metro viewers (939,000) watched as singer/songwriter Pete Murray was medically withdrawn from the brutal course.

The Block continued to hold its top spot in the reality ratings with 812,000 viewers in capital cities (1.140 million nationally).

Social media had been convinced Ten presenter and former rugby player Beau Ryan was the man behind the pinata on The Masked Singer Australia, and minds were blown when it was revealed to be Tuqiri.

“My kid was chanting Beau Ryan and now it’s Lote Tuqiri WTAF?” one tweeted.

While another wrote “LOTE TUQIRI? I WOULD NOT HAVE GUESSED AHHH. My gosh he sounds exactly like Beau. Speaking and singing …”

Lote Tuqiri is revealed as the man behind the Pinata Mask on The Masked Singer. Picture Supplied

While Blue Wiggle Anthony Field tweeted “Big shout out to the nicest man in showbiz and he plays footy too! Lote rocked the masked singer.”

Despite a super fun rendition of LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem, the Piñata was no match for Kebab’s spicy take on The Middle by Zedd.

Guessing panel Dannii Minogue, Dave Hughes, Jackie O and Urzila Carlson were unable to detect Tuqiri as the Piñata and instead nominated acclaimed actors Sam Neil and Jamie Dornan, entrepreneur Elon Musk and The Amazing Race Australia host Beau Ryan, as their choices.

When Piñata finally peeled off his mask, Osher said: “I’ve never seen a retired footballer move like you do. You threw us.”

Tuqiri loved his time on the show, saying “I tried to bring the energy. I thought I was Britney Spears coming in. This is awesome. I’ve dominated a different arena, so I am happy with that!”

Pete Murray with the doctor after he dislocated his elbow on Seven's SAS Australia. Picture: Seven/ Supplied

Meanwhile, it was another brutal day on SAS Australia, as the 14 remaining celebrity recruits were taught how to use aggression to their advantage by turning it on and off when needed.

Day five got underway with a dangerous fast rope insertion into water, followed by a casualty rescue mission in an abandoned compound, where only a handful of recruits passed including Murray.

From freezing cold showers to emptying the latrines, life on Base got real for some recruits before they all came face-to-face with the ultimate test of controlled aggression – a vicious hand-to-hand combat test where the only form of defence was attack.

Bra Boy Koby Abberton took on River Boy Dan Ewing, while the pairing of the course’s oldest recruit, Kerri Pottharst, against Jessica Peris sent shockwaves through the group and viewers.

Pete Murray seriously injures himself as a contestant on SAS Australia, reality show.

But it was during a savage fight with Mark Philippoussis, where musician Murray fell and dislocated his elbow, a serious injury which left him with no option but to be medically withdrawn from the course.

“I didn’t expect to go out like this,” said Murray. “I was getting flogged, I couldn’t get close to him.”

A viewer tweeted “I guess you could say that Pete Murray has … seen Better Days.”

While another said “I hope Pete Murray is all OK after last night” after seeing the singer’s elbow hanging awkwardly last night.

Former tennis champ Alicia Molik also chose to hand in her number after retreating from the onslaught of Jana Pittman’s punches in a brutal bout.

“I just got scared,” said Molik. “I thought I’d be a good fighter. I tried my best.”

Originally published as Reality TV war continues between Masked Singer, SAS Australia and The Block