Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders cast officially revealed, includes Russell Hantz

The full cast of Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders has been revealed by Channel Ten, including three-time CBS player Russell Hantz.

It was a poorly-kept secret, but the Australian Survivor production crew held onto it as long as they could. They teased out the majority of contenders and champions that would compete in the third season of the new-look show and might have slipped up once or twice along the way. However, there’s no getting around the truth; Russell Hantz is back on the island.

The Australian Survivor Twitter account posted the full cast for season 3 earlier today, confirming that a 45-year-old Russell Hantz will find new ways to showcase how the game is flawwwwwwwwed fight his way to the end in a game that lasts longer, has more players and where he’s the only “returning player.”

As the theme suggests, Australian Survivor will have players from prestigious walks of life defend their prowess in their respective fields against those who are looking to make a name for themselves. The Champions Tribe contains pro rugby players, Aussie Rules Football players, war veterans in special occupations, World Series of Poker bracelet-winning poker players and more.

Here is the full Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders cast, denoted by tribes:

Champions Tribe (Average age: 39.4)

• Mat R., 42
• Steve W., 41
• Jackie, 44
• Brian, 36
• Samuel, 26
• Damien, 36
• Lydia, 36
• Moana, 38
• Shane, 61
• Russell Hantz, 45
• Monika, 27
• Sharn, 41

Contenders Tribe (Average age: 34.8)

• Benji, 26
• Robbie, 26
• Heath, 33
• Zac, 39
• Matt D., 35
• Paige, 24
• Tegan, 32
• Shonee, 26
• Fenella, 33
• Anita, 58
• Steve K., 58
• Jenna, 28

As you can tell from those numbers, Channel Ten and CBS have very different casting interests. For one, the average age for the Champions Tribe would be the third-oldest player in Survivor Ghost Island. Five of 24 are in their 40s, there are two players in their 50s and one in their 60s. It’s like the show is casting people from all walks of life and not trolling Instagram models!

We at Surviving Tribal will be covering Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders as the season progresses, even if it means overlapping coverage with CBS’ David vs. Goliath. Stay tuned and let the games begin!