The PNG Chiefs had a mini win in their legal battle against NZ Rugby this week, but if they lose the war don’t expect to see them in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
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NZ Rugby recently launched legal action against the NRL over the naming of the game’s 19th team.
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They hold the trademark rights for both the word and logo for the Super Rugby team, the Chiefs, based in Hamilton.
NZ Rugby has filed proceedings in the High Court of New Zealand, arguing the NRL’s new team will “cause significant confusion and damage” in Australian and New Zealand markets.
But this week a judge rejected the bid for an injunction after hearing that it could hurt the NRL expansion team’s ability to buy players.
The NRL could still be forced to change the Chiefs’ name if it loses in a New Zealand courtroom early next year.
And if the PNG Chiefs ultimately lose, their intention is to never play away games in New Zealand.
Young Chiefs signing stars for PNG Kumul | 00:54
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That’s what the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday morning and the publication also stated that the NRL’s boss Peter V’landys was backing the stance.
It would be interesting to see how the other NRL clubs would view this given their already frosty relationship with the Chiefs who are poaching their players with tax-free contracts.
NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said in a statement last week that the organisation has a “responsibility to protect the Chiefs brand”.
The Chiefs will officially reveal their logo and jersey next week.
Meanwhile, Chiefs head coach Willie Peters has arrived in Port Moresby.
BIG RED V NEEDS A BACKER
St George Illawarra’s big Red V is one of the most famous sporting jerseys in Australia, but the club is still trying to find a major sponsor for next year.
The club’s three-year, $3.6 million deal with Squadron Energy ends on November 1.
News Corp is reporting that the renewable energy company will not continue its major jersey sponsorship in 2027.
The club will try and find only its fourth major sponsor in almost in nearly 30 years after St George Bank previously had a long-term deal with the organisation.
The Dragons will apparently be seeking at least $1.2 million a season to sponsor the front of its famous jersey.
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The club is confident it can secure a deal before the end of the year but won’t be rushing to do so unless the right deal comes along.
Squadron Energy gave up its jersey branding for Indigenous Round and for their Round 1 game in Las Vegas they let the club deviate from their usual blue scheme to help create a cleaner look.
On the field, the club had a horror 2026, finishing with the wooden spoon, but after buying the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima, Connor Watson and Phil Sami ahead of 2027, the new jersey sponsor may see its team make the finals.