They are due to launch their logo and inaugural jersey on October 21, but NZ Rugby wants a resolution before that date arrives, arguing that being allowed to trade in the Australian and New Zealand market with the same name \u201cwill cause significant confusion and damage\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 30 years, the Chiefs and their players have built an incredibly strong identity that is widely recognised and loved by fans,\u201d NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have raised our concerns with the ARLC directly and consistently over the last year in attempting to find a resolution. We now have a responsibility to protect the Chiefs brand. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be absolutely clear, this is not about rugby league\u2019s growth in the Pacific. We welcome the development of the Pacific region through sport and the passion that the people of Papua New Guinea have for both rugby and rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZ Rugby claims \u201cthis view is shared by IP Australia, the Australian Government agency that administers intellectual property (IP) rights, which has warned of a \u2018real and tangible danger of confusion\u2019 when ARLC applied for trademark protection for \u2018PNG Chiefs\u2019.\u201d\u202f<\/p>\n
But V\u2019landys hit back on Thursday afternoon, confirming the NRL would defend itself over the decision, and lashed New Zealand Rugby over what he called double standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NSW Blues have been around since the 1900s,\u201d V\u2019landys said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been using the Auckland Blues since the 1990s and never consulted us. They took our name, the Blues, and we were never concerned then they go ahead and do this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we registered the Chiefs they have acted with mind-blowing hypocrisy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NFL\u2019s Kansas City use the Chiefs moniker, as does South African football team Kaizer Chiefs FC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Chiefs is a well-known sports brand. There is a lot of them. It\u2019s not just in New Zealand,\u201d V\u2019landys said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo say they own the Chiefs name is a slur on every other sporting body that has had it before them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt they are feeling the pressure of rugby league starting to take over in New Zealand. They should look at themselves before they start attacking others.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said: \u201cTeams in different sports and markets can exist alongside one another with the same name, but the issue here is the similarity of our sports competing in the same market, for the same fans, in overlapping windows.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Why](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/eff38413b7eb3cdfa46043eb7ef2c85b.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Papua New Guinea is the only country in which rugby league is its No.1 sport.<\/p>\n
PNG named its NRL team the Chiefs almost 12 months ago to honour centuries of local leadership and symbolise national unity across a country of a thousand tribes.<\/p>\n
They Chiefs have made an impressive start in assembling a roster that includes inaugural signing Jarome Luai, and marquee names such as Brian To\u2019o, Zac Lomax, Joseph Manu, Alex Johnston and Connor Watson.<\/p>\n
Tax-free incentives have made PNG a popular destination for free agents.<\/p>\n
From November 1, they will be free to negotiate with any player who is off contract at the end of next season. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ARLC executive chairman Peter V\u2019landys has blasted New Zealand Rugby\u2019s \u201cmind-blowing hypocrisy\u201d over legal action against NRL 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