Model and SAS Australia star Erin Holland has defended Sam Burgess' controversial win on the military-style show, after he became the only recruit to pass selection.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 32-year-old said that the former footballer deserved to take home the trophy because 'he was incredible in the course itself'.
Erin also denied rumours the show was 'rigged,' after a source came forward with claims that the Channel Seven series 'was always The Sam Burgess Show from day one'.
EXCLUSIVE: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week, Erin Holland has hit back at claims SAS Australia was 'rigged' and defended Sam Burgess' win
'Obviously I wouldn't be privy to any of that information as a contestant myself,' Erin began.
'Obviously there was a lot of press and promo around him and he was obviously a controversial figure people were interested to see. But from a physical, mental, and team work perspective, he passed because he was incredible in the course itself,' Erin said.
'From the perspective of the course, there's no way you would begrudge him winning. The other guys as well who made it to the end, no one thinks he didn't deserve to win, he was truly straights ahead of many of us in the physical aspect and he genuinely passed all the tasks.'
'Obviously there was a lot of press and promo around him and he was obviously a controversial figure people were interested to see. But from a physical, mental, and team work perspective, he passed because he was incredible in the course itself,' Erin said
She added that she was impressed with how 'agile' Sam was, despite his size.
'I'm around 57kg and he's around 117kg. When you're carrying a 20kg backpack, that feels very different for me than him,' she said with a laugh.
She added: 'I don't for any reason think it's rigged, he definitely deserved to pass the course.'
'From the perspective of the course, there's no way you would begrudge him winning. The other guys as well who made it to the end, no one thinks he didn't deserve to win, he was truly straights ahead of many of us in the physical aspect and he genuinely passed all the tasks,' she added
Reflecting on her own time on SAS Australia, Erin said the experience was 'life changing'.
'It was truly, a life changing experience for me,' she said.
'I put myself so far out of my comfort zone, I'm no athlete… I train for my mental and physical health.'
Gruelling: Reflecting on her own time on SAS Australia, Erin said the experience was 'life changing'
Last week, former Rabbitohs star Sam
