One of the things Beau Ryan loves most about The Amazing Race is its cast.
The former Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks player is returning as host of the adventure competition series for the second season, and thinks every Aussie will see a little of themselves on the screen this year.
Ryan, a Cronulla resident, said people of Western Sydney - "a great melting pot of cultures" - would especially feel like they were seeing their experience on television.
"One of the reasons I came on the show was the very diverse cast," he said.
"Casting was even tougher this year because we had double the number of people apply, but the production worked really hard to try and hit as many different cultures, faiths and backgrounds as possible, while also representing the different states - we've tried to tick off as many boxes as we could.
"This year we've got African, Filipino, Indigenous teams - I couldn't be prouder of the cast.
"It's a true representation of Australia. We live in Sydney, and we're lucky to see lots of people from Asian backgrounds, Middle Eastern, Islanders - a lot of friends and family I've got live out west and you get a lot of people from Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands. I think we're representing western Sydney really well.
"When you watch our show, when you're looking at every team, you'll see a bit of yourself, and relate to at least one of them."
The show, which ordinarily sees groups of two travelling around the world and undertaking challenges to become overall champions, will look slightly different for the 2021 season. Given international border closures, the entire competition takes place in Australia.
Ryan said the welcome side effect of The Amazing Race's travel limitations was the opportunity to showcase the beauty and variety Australia has to offer.
"When I first got the route for the season, before everything changed, I was super excited," he said.
"We were going to India, Brazil, Europe. But with each month the route changed. Then the borders closed and I started to get worried. We had so much success with the first season last year, and I was worried we'd lose momentum.
"But I got really excited again with the new route around Australia - there were places I didn't know existed, and they're only a few hours away from home.
"I think we'll be putting a few places on the map this year, which is one of the best things the show's ever done."
Ryan said the teams always had a slight advantage when they were in their own home city, acing the navigation part of the race.
He said he visited places that have become new favourite destinations. Some of this year's locations include Port Lincoln, Broome, Cairns, Hobart, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, the Ghan and Dubbo, among others.
Ryan said, if nothing else, The Amazing Race would introduce Aussies to the wonders lying in their own backyards.
"I urge people to get out there," he said.
"After filming finished I spent a week at home with the kids then we all got in a big van and went up the coast exploring, seeing as much as we could.
"This season you get to see Australia, the real Australia.
"I'm so lucky, I've travelled all over the world with the show and in my career, and I can say with certainty that Australia is the best country on earth and I'll stand by that.
"It's not only our living standards, but our scenery and people. No other country comes close - it's not even far.
"You can be in a rainforest and two hours later your in the snow, or visiting an island - it's breathtaking.
"If you don't like to listen to me rattling on, you can just listen to the show on mute and watch the scenery."
Ryan said the lack of language barriers - one of the biggest challenges in typical Amazing Race seasons - meant the production had to make the challenges more difficult than ever.
He said this year's crop of contestants were more savvy and Race superfans than last season, and came into the Race with ideas on finding loopholes in the rules.
"The challenges are really tough this year," he said.
"The middle of the country is brutal, and the Top End took no prisoners."
Ryan encouraged everyone to "pick a team, get behind them and see the country".
He said he's got his eyes on enough Australian locations to fill out two more seasons of races if borders remain closed.
The Amazing Race premieres Monday, February 1 at 7.30pm on 10, and will air Sunday-Tuesday.
