Papua New Guinea Chiefs release logo for inaugural 2028 season, design, details, reaction, jersey

The PNG Chiefs are set to officially unveil their club logo and jersey as the NRL’s soon-to-be 19th team prepares to enter the league in 2028.

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Inaugural head coach Willie Peters, chief executive Lorna McPherson and a host of other powerful figures in rugby league from both Papua New Guinea and Australia gathered on Wednesday for the official release of the logo.

The Chiefs’ jersey, meanwhile, will be released on Thursday.

The Chiefs said in a statement last month that the logo was developed with PNG design experts and was “built on pride, ambition and a deep connection to Papua New Guinea’s people, culture and passion for rugby league”.

“It will help to unite a nation as the club continues to establish itself on and off the field through a clear identity,” the statement added.

“This is a logo that belongs to the entire PNG Chiefs community. It is a mark of pride for Papua New Guinea and for everyone who has believed in what this club can become, and we are incredibly excited to walk into the next era of the Chiefs in this way.”

PNG’s plans to release both the logo and jersey were thrown into doubt earlier this month when NZ Rugby launched legal action against the NRL over the naming of the league’s 19th team.

However, the Chiefs had a small win in that legal battle last week when a judge rejected their bid for an injunction.

The NRL could still be forced to change the PNG team’s name with the case to be heard in a New Zealand courtroom early next year.

However, NRL boss Peter V’landys has vowed to “defend this vigorously”, accusing NZ Rugby of “mind-blowing hypocrisy” given the Auckland Blues were formed in 1996 “without any consultation or approval”.

MORE TO COME…