Super Rugby New Zealand teams have dropped a new range of Marvel-themed jerseys, giving fans something fresh to add to their collection.
For years, Super Rugby has stuck to its traditional home and away kits, but thanks to a new partnership with Classic Sportswear, we're entering a new era.
Last season, teams took a nostalgic turn by bringing back retro '90s-inspired jerseys. Now, they’ve joined forces with Marvel to put the 'super' in Super Rugby.
The Chiefs will suit up as Black Panther, the Blues as Spider-Man, the Crusaders as Iron Man, the Hurricanes as Captain America, and the Highlanders as Hulk.
The Crusaders as Iron Man is - in my humble opinion - the best, complementing their usual red and black while incorporating the Iron Man elements seamlessly.
The Chiefs’ Black Panther kit is equally slick. It closely resembles their away jersey, with Black Panther's Wakandan necklace detail adding a nice touch.
The Highlanders' Hulk theme suits their team at the moment, with Fijian centre Jim Tavatavanawai absolutely dominating the competition. It’s also a nice nod to their previous 2014 green away jersey, alongside their current blue tone.
The Blues feature as Spider-Man, which takes me back to 2008 when Crusader (and former Blues) player Ali Williams turned up to a press conference dressed as Spider-Man to represent both teams.
However, Hurricanes fans have voiced concerns about their team wearing Captain America’s red and blue - colours usually associated with their rivals. Many argue that Wolverine’s yellow would have been a better fit for their identity.
One fan commented: “Never thought I’d see a blue Hurricanes kit in my lifetime.”
The good news? This Marvel collaboration is a two-year partnership, meaning there’s a chance we’ll see the Hurricanes in their classic colours next season.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis explained that the inspiration for the jerseys came from the fans:
“Our players are seen as heroes to our fans, so it’s fantastic to collaborate with Marvel to feature their iconic Super Heroes on the New Zealand Super Rugby Club’s jerseys.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the jerseys in action - teams will wear them during the DHL Super Rugby Pacific ‘Super Kids’ Round on March 14 and 15 or you can purchase them now in store.
