New Zealand Rugby seeks injunction over PNG Chiefs name

New Zealand Rugby has begun High Court proceedings against the Australian Rugby League Commission, seeking to prevent Papua New Guinea’s incoming National Rugby League team from using “Chiefs” or similar names in New Zealand. The case seeks both interim and final injunctions, according to New Zealand Rugby’s statement, but no court ruling has been reported. The dispute concerns the planned name of the Papua New Guinea franchise, which is scheduled to join the NRL in 2028 as its 19th team. The team’s branding and jersey are due to be unveiled in Port Moresby on October 21, 2026. New Zealand Rugby says it is seeking to block use of “PNG Chiefs,” “Chiefs” and similar names in New Zealand. New Zealand Rugby says it owns trademark rights to the word Chiefs and the team’s logo in New Zealand, and has held Australian trademark protection for the logo since 1998. It argues that using the name for another professional rugby team in overlapping markets could cause confusion and damage to its brand. Those are the rugby union body’s claims, not findings by a court. The New Zealand Chiefs have competed in Super Rugby since 1996.