PNG Chiefs will enter the NRL in the 2028 season but the new franchise could be hit with a massive hurdle of a legal battle over their name and brand identity, thanks to a reported possible legal challenge by NZ Rugby.
According to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald, the NRL have been handed a warning from New Zealand Rugby that they could well face legal action if the PNG Chiefs do not change their name.
PNG was confirmed as an incoming NRL franchise in 2024 with the Chiefs moniker being confirmed in late 2025, with Chiefs chosen over the shortlisted name of Pythons.
The club will continue to ramp up their preparations throughout 2027 ahead of their maiden NRL season with Hull KR head coach Willie Peters to assume his role in charge, whilst Rhyse Martin will also take on an off-field role.
However, the club could be facing a battle off the field in terms of their name and identity thanks to a possible legal challenge from NZ Rugby, who own the trademark of the Chiefs’ rugby union franchise that compete int he Super Rugby competition down under.
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NRL newcomers PNG Chiefs face threat of rugby union legal action over identity
According to the Sydney Morning Herald’s report, NZ Rugby wrote to the NRL to challenge the decision to name the Papua New Guinea franchise as the Chiefs, something that they would be willing to take to court over intellectual property laws.
Per that report, an NZ Rugby representative said: “The Chiefs have been a professional rugby club since 1996 and has an established identity and fan base, both in the Pacific region and globally.
“This 30-year identity includes the Chiefs name, logo and distinctive colours.”
The colours in question are black, red, and yellow, something that the PNG national team and the Queensland Cup side the Hunters, who are based out of PNG, also wear and such colours will seemingly be associated with the PNG Chiefs, though their kit is yet to be confirmed.
NZ Rugby argue that by using the Chiefs name and associating with such similar colours would be an infringement on their trademark, with the Sydney Morning Herald also reporting that NZ Rugby have looked to fortify that with IP Australia.
No comment was issued from the NRL, though it was confirmed that the PNG Chiefs’ trademark has yet to be signed off on as a result of this dispute.
It could well mean a legal battle will ensure or a rebranding, neither of which are ideal circumstances just 18 months out from the club’s inaugural season in the NRL.
Eric T Cat
September 12, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Different sport, different country, nobody in PNG would be confused they live and die their League. On a more direct comparison will the NZ Union be taking the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Exeter Chiefs (Union), Kaiserslautern Chiefs FC (football), or the Spokane Chiefs (Ice Hockey) to court over the Chiefs name? Of course they won’t, the only pull moves like this were Rugby League is concerned. Which begs the question why? The usual, fear. They are terrified people start to compare the products, and decide to vote with the feet and their money.
Wiganexpat
September 15, 2026 at 6:57 am
What has this got to do with the NRL ? PNG held a ballot to choose their name without any involvement from the NRL. They are a private club resident in PNG and one that has the backing of the PNG Prime Minister himself. Then there is the duplication of sporting names globally as Eric clearly points out and even some in the same country Western Bulldogs (AFL) and Canterbury Bulldogs (NRL) so their is precedence for the two co-existing. The NRL are right to ignore them at this point.
Wiganexpat
September 15, 2026 at 7:07 am
And yet more
Wigan Warriors v NZ Warriors
Cronulla Sharks v Sale Sharks
The Bulls (RU) v Bradford Bulls
Dragons (RU) v ST George Illawarra Dragons