Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape announced the name "Chiefs" for the country's new National Rugby League franchise in 2025.
New Zealand Rugby has filed proceedings in New Zealand's High Court seeking interim and final injunctions to stop the team using that name in New Zealand.
NZR says the action is intended to protect the Waikato-based Chiefs brand. The rugby union side has competed in Super Rugby across Australasia since the sport turned professional in 1996.
The Australia-based NRL announced its expansion into Papua New Guinea in 2024. The league also has a team in Auckland.
NZR said efforts to discuss the naming issue with the Australian Rugby League Commission had not succeeded. It wants the injunctions in place before the Papua New Guinea team's official launch later this month.