Superhero Rugby XV named
With the Rugby World Cup fast approaching, one charity that creates real-life superheroes wanted to find out which superheroes would make the best rugby players, and in which positions. From the Hulk at number 8 to The Flash on the wing, the team contains a lot of variety, pace and power.
On the 18th of September the Rugby World Cup 2015 commences. With this in mind, Superhero Foundation commissioned a survey of 1,134 people to ask the public to create the ultimate Superhero XV.
Here is the selected starting 15 by general consensus. Each player listed was the most commonly-selected player in that position:
1) Loosehead Prop: Juggernaut – 41%
Being 6ft 10 and huge in size and strength, he will make an ideal prop in both set piece and open play.
2) Hooker: Thor – 36%
With his throwing ability, strength and endurance will allow him to be great around the park, fulfilling the modern day hooker who is commonly seen as a 4th Backrow.
3) Tighthead Prop: The Thing – 55%
Relatively short at 6ft but weighing in at over 500 pounds, The Thing will be strong in scrums and when ball carrying.
4) Lock: Mr Fantastic – 31%
His power to stretch would make an ideal second row as he will outreach almost any opposition in lineouts, however he may struggle in terms of mass and strength in scrums and around the park.
5) Lock: Groot – 27%
Similar to Mr Fantastic, he can alter his height, but is most commonly listed as 23ft. He would dominate lineouts and provide a challenging opponent.
6) Blindside Flanker: Iron Man – 39%
His suit would allow him to smash into things and cause serious damage around the park, making huge hits like any 6 should, but also be smart and forward thinking.
7) Openside Flanker: Wolverine – 51%
His animalistic nature would intimidate any opposing 10, not forgetting his brute strength, aggression and speed. He has all the makings of a deadly 7.
8) Number 8: The Hulk – 34%
The pure strength he possesses would secure the scrum on its own. The thought of him picking and going would make even the best opposing flankers shake with fear.
9) Scrum Half: Robin – 23%
Loyal and quick to argue, Robin communicates well. Being the smallest player selected, he can fit under legs to dig out the ball, making him an ideal 9.
10) Fly Half: Daredevil -29%
Despite his blindness, Daredevil could control and sense opposing danger better than any other. What he lacks in sight he more than makes up for in self-taught skill and heightened senses, allowing him to have better control of the game.
11) Left Wing: Quicksilver – 48%
With his ability to travel far above human speeds, Quicksilver would leave many opposing players in his trail making him suited to wing.
12) Inside Centre and Captain: Batman – 47%
With Batman’s intelligence and creativity, he is ideally suited to this role as he can act as a secondary playmaker, or, on account of his strength could just crash it up if in doubt.
13) Outside Centre: Superman – 53%
Well balanced assets such as speed on par with that of The Flash’s, superhuman strength and great intelligence and vision, he would be well-suited to this role.
14) Right Wing: The Flash – 61%
Quick enough to cover countries in seconds, he’d have no issue burning through opposition over a 100m pitch.
15) Full Back: Spiderman – 57%
His Spidey senses would allow him to react and predict the game well, so he would have great positioning and control over the game. Also he’d never drop a catch, he could just fling a web from 50m away and the ball would be in his hands.
Coach: Professor Xavier – 72%
Perfect for this role, what with mind-reading, infinite knowledge and respect of all, he would be able to coordinate and direct this super team.
Co-founder of the Superhero foundation, Jamie McDonald said,
“With the Rugby World Cup only just round the corner and World Cup fever spreading, in Gloucester and throughout the UK, I thought it’d be a fun and quirky to ask people about their superhero XV.
“Given that I dressed as the Flash on my Trans-Canada run, it was inevitable that he’d end up in this list, obviously on the wing on account of his great speed. Not sure I’m anywhere near as quick as him, given he can cover countries in seconds; mine was over a year!”
Superhero Foundation is a charity that aims to inspire and empower people to achieve their fundraising dream, hoping to create superheroes the world over. An example of this is before Christmas 2014, Superhero Foundation supported a father as he climbed a local hill 75 times – the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest – to raise money for an operation in the US to help his wheelchair-bound 4 year old daughter walk. The target was £20,000, but closer to £30,000 was raised. Though there is a long way to go in terms of post-operation treatment and rehabilitation, Charlotte is now able to put weight on her feet and walk with the support of a frame.