SAS Australia: Honey Badger responds to SAS fight criticism

Nick Cummins has defended his actions on SAS Australia after sparking concern among viewers over his interactions with women on the show.

Former Bachelor Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins has spoken out amid backlash surrounding his conduct on Channel 7’s SAS Australia.

The former rugby player’s involvement in the reality show has sparked controversy among viewers concerned by his brutal interactions with female recruits.

In episode one, Cummins, 33, went head-to-head in a boxing match with AFLW star Sabrina Frederick and certainly didn’t hold back. In episode two, he went on to tackle Australian swimmer Shayna Jack so hard she feared she had a broken rib.

Sharing an interview by fellow contestant Erin McNaught on Channel 7’s The Morning Show today, Cummins wrote: “What happens on ground sometimes isn’t always what you see. With that said, I appreciate everyone’s concern around the topic.”

It comes after McNaught revealed what wasn’t shown during SAS Australia’s most controversial scene in defence of Cummins’ actions.

Nick Cummins fighting AFLW star Sabrina Frederick.

In episode one’s intense boxing match, AFLW player Frederick was told she could pick her opponent, and she stunned her co-stars and viewers at home when she picked Cummins.

The confronting fight scene sparked a fierce debate in Australia about whether or not Cummins should have gone as hard as he did or even agreed to the fight in the first place.

But as McNaught revealed on The Morning Show, the incident played out a little differently in real life as opposed to what viewers saw on TV.

“What they didn’t show is that Nick was actually really hesitant to hit Sabrina initially,” McNaught said. “The DS (directing staff) were just shouting at him, ‘Hit her! Hit her!’ And then she’s gone in for him.

“It actually really upsets me when people are targeting Nick about this because we did what we had to do,” she said. “If we didn’t do what we were told to do, we’d get kicked off. It’s as simple as that.”

RELATED: Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham defends Nick Cummins after fight

Erin McNaught.

SAS Australia’s chief instructor Ant Middleton spoke about the controversial fight on Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa this morning.

“The fight went on for a good couple of minutes,” Middleton said. “When she picked the Honey Badger I was like, ‘Wow let’s see how this goes.’

“She did get a beating and people were expecting me to stop it. (But) I could see her getting stronger and stronger. By the end of it the Honey Badger was stuffed.”

Former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught took to social media to share some of her injuries from @SASAust7 - and she’s opening up on her experience on the intense reality show. #TMS7 pic.twitter.com/AHBAIcZ8qc

— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) October 25, 2020

BACKLASH

After the episode aired, Frederick spoke to Seven News about the incident and thanked Cummins for fighting her.

“I volunteered first and I picked Nick for two reasons,” she said. “Firstly, I wanted to select the person I thought was the biggest challenge. Secondly, I knew our respect was mutual and he would give me a fair fight, regardless of my gender.

“In battle, the enemy doesn’t care about your gender or size and we had to think like soldiers to get through each and every task.

“Yes, I was scared but that’s the whole point of SAS selection – not letting the fear consume you and instead harnessing it to empower you.

“I am truly grateful for Nick and for that experience.”

Nick Cummins.

Sabrina Frederick.

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But despite the fact Frederick picked Cummins, some viewers felt uneasy about the clash.

The most vocal critic was singer and domestic violence campaigner Guy Sebastian. He said in an interview that he “felt quite sick” watching the episode.

“My wife and I run a foundation where we deal with domestic violence,” he said on Nova 93.7’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun show. “I thought that was pretty p**s poor, if I’m being honest.

“I think it makes it very difficult to tell your kids, to tell your boy, ‘You never hit a girl. It doesn’t matter what the circumstance is, you just never, ever hit a girl. Violence against women is always wrong.’”

Sebastian also commented on the show on Twitter, writing: “I’ve met Nick (Cummins) and he’s a top bloke. I don’t have an issue with any individual on the show.

“I stand by my opinion because I’m entitled to it. They were told to bash each other, and to keep going even if the opponent was on the ground. I personally didn’t like what I saw. I understand all sides of the argument when it comes to actual SAS training, combat sports etc.

“In a martial arts gym, they are not told to smash someone even if they are on the ground. IMO (in my opinion) just because ‘she asked for it’ by choosing him doesn’t make it OK. In the DV space the line for ‘she asked for it’ is extremely varied so when it comes to entertainment, great caution.

Nick Cummins fighting AFLW star Sabrina Frederick.

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“However this is a reality TV show featuring celebrities ranging from Love Island contestants, ex-sports stars and a convicted drug smuggler. I get they are putting them through SAS training, but it’s still a reality TV show, with no actual combat at the end.

“Once again it’s just an opinion, I felt uneasy watching it because of the work we have done in the DV space. Everyone will have a different view and I respect that, however I still think we don’t need more idolised sports stars hitting women on TV for ANY reason.”

SAS Australia contestant, Roxy Jacenko, also had an issue with the fight.

“I take my hat off to Sabrina for choosing the Honey Badger,” Jacenko said on KIIS FM. “She was the biggest girl in terms of height and weight.

“But you know what I think is disgusting? The Honey Badger had a choice. Should he have hit her back? Absolutely not,” she said.

SAS Australia continues tonight on Channel 7 at 7.30pm