Although it’s only been a month since Pia Miranda was crowned the winner of Australian Survivor, fans are already gearing up for an All Star season which will no doubt bring tears, drama and tribal rivalry!
While the highly anticipated season isn’t set to drop until early 2020, Network 10 has already announced eight of the 24 contestants competing to be named Sole Survivor— one of which includes former Champions V Contenders player, Mat Rogers.
If you cast your mind back to season three, you may remember the firm favourite’s intense rivalry with Robbie Skibicki, his close friendship with Lydia Lassila and the shock elimination which sent him packing with an immunity idol in his pocket.
Ahead of his return, WHO sat down with the rugby league player— who recently explored Japan with a local rugby fanatic— to find out why he decided to give Survivor another crack!
Did you watch Australian Survivor? What did you think of Luke and Pia?
Survivor season foud, wow what a season, it was amazing. Was very happy for Luke (given I do believe he and David probably played the best games) that the Australian public rewarded him. Given his family situation, it just made me smile and feel great that Australians support each other.
Pia played a very clever game, never stuck her head up long enough to be seen as too dangerous. At the end of the day, it’s called Survivor for a reason. You need to survive and Pia did the best job at that.
Why did you decide to do Survivor All-stars?
I loved my first experience on Survivor, and I can’t wait to have another crack at it. It’s a tough game both mentally and physically, but it would be great to come home with the goods this time around and play the game even harder. There was a lot to consider before diving back into this experience, but I’m in it for the challenge and my family. I’m keen to see what Australia takes a liking to on Survivor All-stars.
Do you have any tips for your co-stars?
My advice? Trust no on!
Mastercard recently airdropped you into Japan to meet a local footy fanatic who you explored Tokyo with. Why did you get involved with this project?
Mastercard approached me with the concept of two strangers coming together, united by one common passion, rugby, to explore Tokyo. I was lucky in my career to play other countries, so it was a natural fit for me to want to come together with someone I’d never met, but who shares the same passion for rugby as I do.
Did you take your family with you?
Not this time, unfortunately! I’d love to go back again soon and take them to the places I was able to experience, maybe to even meet my mate Tomo!
What’s the most surprising thing about your time over there?
I’ve done some pretty cool things in my life and going to Robot Restaurant with Tomo in Tokyo was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Tokyo is such a vibrant and colourful city and an awesome place to host Rugby World Cup 2019™.
My top three tips for anyone heading over?
- Get amongst the locals and the local rugby community. Japanese people are so friendly and really show you the best quintessential experiences the country has to offer. The Japanese rugby scene is also on fire, they are so passionate and it’s a great environment to be immersed in, especially during Rugby World Cup 2019™.
- I encourage fans heading over to get amongst the odd cultural experience, and those particularly in the Tap Map, from a lost-in-fanslation guide on helpful Japanese phases, Robot Restaurant to Ginza Iwa. The Tap Map can be found on my Instagram and unlocks the cities best experiences and Mastercard Priceless offers during Rugby World Cup 2019™.
- Book experiences in advance, luckily for me I had the local edge, however, with thousands of fans descending on the city, the best experiences are going to fill up quickly, so get booking!
Will you go over next year for the Olympics?
My plan is to go with some friends to watch Australian Kenny Wallace compete at what will be (from what he has said) his last Olympics, he’s a great guy from here on the coast. It would be an amazing experience visiting Tokyo the second time around and support another local legend.
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