New Zealand Rugby take legal action against incoming NRL club

New Zealand Rugby has initiated legal action in the High Court of New Zealand against the Australian Rugby League Commission over the NRL's new expansion club, the PNG Chiefs. NZR is seeking an interim and final injunction to block the use of the names 'PNG Chiefs' or 'Chiefs' in New Zealand, citing intellectual property rights owned since 1998 for the Super Rugby Pacific franchise.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster stated the legal step follows failed attempts to resolve the branding conflict with the ARLC over the past year. In response, ARLC Executive Chairman Peter V’landys criticized the action, accusing NZR of hypocrisy by noting the Auckland Blues adopted their name in 1996 despite the preexisting NSW Blues.