NRL and NZ Rugby enter legal battle over Chiefs trademark
Monday 12 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Chiefs, NRL, New Zealand Rugby
New Zealand Rugby is seeking an urgent injunction to prevent Papua New Guinea's incoming NRL franchise from using the Chiefs name. The NRL claims it was blindsided by the bid, while NZ Rugby says it has struggled to engage with rugby league officials. A High Court hearing is scheduled for Friday in Wellington.
Key facts
4 facts
- The PNG Chiefs are set to join the NRL in 2028 as the 19th franchise
- The PNG team is backed by a $600 million Australian government funding package
- The PNG club's official brand launch is scheduled for 21 October
- Justice Karen Grau ordered an urgent two-hour hearing for Friday
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Justice Karen Grau has ordered an urgent two-hour hearing this Friday in the Wellington High Court regarding a trademark dispute over the Chiefs name. The decision allows New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to pursue an interim injunction to prevent Papua New Guinea's incoming NRL franchise from using "PNG Chiefs", "Chiefs", or similar names in New Zealand.
The legal battle involves NZR and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), which represents both the NRL and the PNG team. NZR seeks to protect the brand of its Waikato-based Super Rugby club, which has been established for over 30 years. The PNG team is scheduled to join the NRL in 2028 as the competition's 19th franchise.
Counsel Joe Edwards stated the ARLC was "blindsided" by the move, noting they had informed NZR in December last year that they would not change the name. Conversely, NZR counsel Earl Gray argued that NZR had previously provided a draft statement of claim on 28 September and had been "shadow-boxing" due to a lack of engagement.
The dispute comes ahead of the PNG club's planned official brand and jersey launch in Port Moresby on 21 October. The new franchise is supported by a $600 million Australian government funding package intended to counter Chinese influence in the region.
How it developed
- Mon 12 Oct, 4:23pmJustice Grau ruled that the parties must face off in an urgent hearing this Friday, rather than waiting for a full hearing next year.
Where reports differ
- The ARLC claims they were notified of NZR's concerns four days after the initial team launch in October last year, while NZR claims they have been consistently raising concerns for the last year
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and The Post.
