PNG Chiefs unveil NRL kit despite naming dispute with rugby body
The new team will debut in the National Rugby League with a black jersey featuring cultural designs, as a legal row over the name continues.
At a glance
- PNG Chiefs unveiled black and white jerseys designed by PNG artist Tabu featuring cultural imagery
- New Zealand Rugby's high court injunction to block use of the Chiefs name was denied
- The team will debut in the NRL despite the ongoing legal dispute over naming rights
The PNG Chiefs have unveiled their logo and jersey for their inaugural National Rugby League season, moving forward despite an ongoing legal dispute with New Zealand Rugby over rights to the Chiefs name. The design features a chief's face and cultural drawings created by PNG artist Tabu, with a white accented "V" on a black jersey and an alternative predominantly white version.
New Zealand Rugby sought an injunction in high court to prevent use of the Chiefs moniker, but the application was denied. The team will take the field for the first time in two years pending resolution of the naming dispute.
Why it matters
The case highlights disputes over intellectual property and branding rights in professional sports, particularly when new teams adopt names previously associated with other codes.
Original reporting
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.