New Zealand Rugby loses injunction bid but vows to fight PNG Chiefs name in court

New Zealand Rugby’s bid to prevent a new Papua New Guinea-based rugby league franchise from trading as the ‘Chiefs’ suffered a setback on Tuesday after the High Court of New Zealand declined to grant an interim injunction blocking the name’s use.

The ruling clears the way for the PNG Chiefs to proceed with a brand launch scheduled for 21 October, although New Zealand Rugby (NZR) was quick to stress that the decision addresses only the injunction application and not the substance of its trademark claim. A final injunction application remains before the court.

In a formal statement, NZR said it “respects the Court’s decision” but maintained its core position: “Two teams called the Chiefs, playing similar codes in the same commercial markets, is likely to cause confusion.” The union argues that the Chiefs name has been protected under trademark law in New Zealand since 1998, when the Super Rugby franchise was established.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster described the ruling as “not a judgment on the strength of our case” and said the union’s responsibility as trademark holder to protect the Chiefs brand “hasn’t changed”. He added that NZR remains open to resolving the matter with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) without further litigation, noting that the union had raised its concerns directly with the ARLC since October 2025 in an attempt to avoid going to court.

NZR also acknowledged commitments made by the ARLC to the court to take active steps to minimise confusion in New Zealand when the brand launches — steps the court cited in declining the injunction.

On the other side of the dispute, PNG Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis welcomed the outcome but framed it as only “an early step”, signalling that the franchise expects the legal battle to continue. Chairman Errol Brain struck a more personal note, saying he had “literally bled for this club” and felt a duty to protect its “brand and legacy” for future generations.

The PNG Chiefs are scheduled to enter the NRL competition from the 2028 season, giving both parties — and the courts — time to reach a resolution before the franchise begins competing at the highest level of rugby league.