High Court clears way for PNG Chiefs NRL launch, rejecting NZ Rugby’s interim injunction bid
A High Court judge has rejected NZ Rugby's urgent request to halt the launch of a Papua New Guinea rugby league team named the Chiefs, clearing the way for next week's jersey and logo unveiling.
What happened
Justice Karen Grau declined NZ Rugby's application for an interim injunction at the Wellington High Court on Friday, allowing the NRL's planned launch of the PNG Chiefs next Wednesday to proceed. NZ Rugby had sought to prevent the Australian Rugby League Commission from using the Chiefs name, arguing it would cause confusion with its Waikato-based Super Rugby franchise, which has held the trademark for 30 years. The NRL argued that fans understand the difference between rugby and rugby league, and pointed to other cross-code teams sharing brand names, such as the Auckland Blues and the New South Wales Blues State of Origin team. Justice Grau questioned whether sports fans would genuinely confuse the brands, noting they would know which sport they were attending. The full decision will be released on Monday. The ruling clears the path either for a negotiated settlement or a full trademark hearing, likely early next year, when the PNG Chiefs team is not scheduled to join the NRL until 2028.
Why it matters
NZ Rugby warned of legal action in early September, then filed formal court proceedings by 8 October. Today's rejection of the interim injunction means the PNG side can proceed with its branded launch next week, marking the first substantive legal loss for NZ Rugby in the three-week-old dispute over the 30-year-old Chiefs trademark.
Follow the whole thread: NRL Chiefs name dispute
Key facts
- Justice Karen Grau declined the interim injunction on Friday
- PNG Chiefs jersey and logo launch scheduled for next Wednesday
- PNG Chiefs team set to join NRL in 2028
- NZ Rugby holds 30-year Chiefs trademark
- Full hearing likely early 2027
What happens next
Full decision to be released on Monday; full trademark hearing likely early in 2027.
Primary source: High Court application for interim injunction
Covered byRNZStuffNZ Herald1NewsOtago Daily TimesNot covered byNewstalk ZBNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz
Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
Where the outlets differ
The NZ Herald provides extensive courtroom detail on both sides' arguments, including specific points about sponsor dilution and social media reach. Stuff frames the outcome as the NRL winning round one. The Otago Daily Times and 1News offer briefer summaries without the full court exchanges. RNZ's headline is more neutral about the dispute itself.
What outlets are saying
NZ Herald
Media Insider: Chiefs v Chiefs in High Court – judge rejects NZ Rugby bid for interim injunction to halt NRL team launch
Judge rejects NZR bid, clearing the way for jersey and logo launch of new Chiefs NRL team.
1News
NZ Rugby loses round one in Chiefs v Chiefs trademark dispute
NZ Rugby has failed in its bid to secure an interim injunction preventing the incoming Papua New Guinea NRL side from using the Chiefs name.
Otago Daily Times
PNG league side can use Chiefs name, NZ judge rules
Stuff
NRL wins first round in battle with NZ Rugby over Chiefs name
The NRL has enjoyed a victory in round one of the code war over the PNG Chiefs name, with a judge turning down a bid by New Zealand Rugby for an urgent injunction after hearing that it could harm the…
RNZ
High Court declines NZ Rugby's bid for interim injunction on PNG Chiefs
The High Court has declined New Zealand Rugby's application for an interim injunction on the PNG Chiefs NRL rugby league franchise using its name