Nick Cummins in brutal TV fight with AFLW's Sabrina Frederick
Nick Cummins and Sabrina Frederick went toe-to-toe in confronting scenes on national television on Monday night in the first episode of SAS Australia.
Cummins and Frederick are just two of the high-profile sporting stars appearing on the Channel 7 reality show, joining the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Shayna Jack and Candice Warner.
‘SHAME ON YOU’: Channel 7's 'disgusting' WAG move slammed
‘GREATEST STUFF-UP’: Anger over 'horrible' Brownlow moment
On Monday night’s episode, contestants were forced to go one-on-one in brutal boxing bouts.
But things took a stunning turn when Frederick volunteered to fight and nominated Cummins as her opponent.
“Oh my God,” former Miss Universe contestant Erin McNaught could be heard saying.
Others including Schapelle Corby and Ali Oetjen (of Bachelorette fame) were in tears watching the fight.
Frederick, who plays in the AFLW for Richmond, showed incredible bravery and toughness in holding her own against Cummins.
The former Wallabies star landed a couple of brutal blows on Frederick, who didn’t take a backwards step.
“The hand-to-hand combat task was the ultimate test of character and bravery,” SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton told Channel 7.
“Sabrina had the luxury of choosing her enemy and she chose a tough opponent, showing true strength of character and how much she wanted to test herself and get the absolute most out of this experience.
“Nick did exactly what was asked of him. They both held a good and correct account of themselves.
“SAS Australia is the closest thing there is to the real selection process. Standards will not be dropped. It really is that simple.”
Sabrina Frederick opens up on brutal fight
Frederick explained that she was perfectly prepared to fight Cummins.
“I feel like my whole life is a constant fight, I’m a black woman, in a same-sex relationship, working in a male-dominated sport,” she said.
“I’m in this experience to prove that women can do this. I know what women can do and I’ve never had men beat me in my industry anyway.”
She later told Channel 7: “I went on SAS Australia to challenge myself, to push myself to my absolute limits both physically and mentally.
“My whole life I have been fighting for equality. For people to treat all as equal, regardless of gender or race, and this task was an opportunity for exactly that.”
Viewers watching at home were shocked by the confronting scenes but hailed Frederick’s bravery.
Sabrina Frederick is awesome. #SASAustralia
— Dr P (@pm_phd) October 19, 2020
If the men on Saturday show HALF as much guts as @aflwomens Sabrina Frederick on @SASAust7 then @Richmond_FC will walk away with the premiership
— Tru Dat (@RafaBasset) October 19, 2020
Sabrina Frederick is an absolute legend #SASAustralia pic.twitter.com/oJK7iveYQI
— Synaptic Kid (@synaptickid) October 19, 2020
Godh what a legend !!!
— Lucy reid (@lucy_levett) October 19, 2020
I salute you..
— Rii (@_RinaM_) October 19, 2020
You go girl! Massive respect 👊🏼 You have the grit Roxy keeps banging on about, difference is you have it, she talks about it.
— The Divided States of Australia 🇦🇺 (@_YeahNahMate_) October 19, 2020
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.