NZ Rugby Takes ARLC to Court Over PNG Chiefs Name

The PNG Chiefs haven't played a minute of NRL footy and don't come into the competition until 2028. It's been all smooth sailing so far, but they've already copped their first big hit.

And it comes from Rugby Union.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has filed proceedings in the NZ High Court over the decision to name the NRL's Papua New Guinea expansion side the Chiefs.

NZR wants both an interim and a final injunction to stop the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) from using "PNG Chiefs", "Chiefs" or any similar name in New Zealand.

The move is about protecting the Waikato Chiefs, NZR's two-time Super Rugby champions.

Why Has NZ Rugby Taken ARLC to Court?

NZR says it has owned the trademark rights to the word Chiefs and the Chiefs logo since 1998. It also holds trademark protection for the logo in Australia.

The governing body says it first raised concerns with the ARLC when the PNG side's name was confirmed in October 2025. It says it then spent the past 12 months trying, and failing, to reach a resolution with the commission.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said the organisation now has "a responsibility to protect the Chiefs brand".

Lancaster also made clear the fight isn't about blocking rugby league's growth in the Pacific. He said NZR welcomes the passion Papua New Guineans have for both codes.

NZR's case is that two Chiefs playing and trading in the same markets would create major confusion and harm its brand.

It also says IP Australia flagged a real risk of confusion when the ARLC applied to trademark "PNG Chiefs".

The injunction is being sought before the PNG club's official launch, which is set for later this month.

Where the PNG Chiefs Name Came From?

PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced the name on October 12, 2025.

It came out of a national naming competition that drew more than 20,000 submissions.

At the time, reports in PNG said the NRL believed it would avoid a legal fight because the ARLC had trademarked "PNG Chiefs" rather than just "Chiefs".

A judge will now decide whether that distinction holds up.

Our Take: There Are Plenty of Chiefs to Go Around

We'll leave the fine print to the lawyers.

But we can't help noticing that "Chiefs" isn't exactly an exclusive club.

The Kansas City Chiefs already exist in the NFL and they seem to be doing just fine sharing the name with a rugby team in regional New Zealand.

We'd better hope nobody in Kansas City reads this story and gets any ideas (looking at you Ted Lasso). If the NFL side ever starts counting Chiefs, Hamilton and PNG could both be sweating.

For now, the PNG Chiefs will have to wait on a judge to find out whether their name can be used in New Zealand.