New Zealand Rugby has launched legal action against the PNG Chiefs over the NRL club's planned name.
The Hamilton-based Super Rugby Chiefs hold intellectual property rights to their name and logo in New Zealand and Australia, and say the PNG side could cause confusion and damage their brand.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster said the organisation wanted to protect the Chiefs brand while welcoming Pacific sport's development and rugby league's growth.
The NRL selected the name about a year ago; after the 2025 season, the club was announced as the competition's 19th team, joining in 2028.
IP Australia has yet to approve the PNG club's name.
NRL CEO Peter V'landys said, "We will defend this vigorously," and cited the Auckland Blues' use of the NSW Blues name in 1996 without consultation or approval; NSW had used the name for more than 50 years.
He said, "Rugby union is obviously feeling threatened by rugby league in New Zealand, with sell-outs at most rugby league games."