PNG Chiefs unveil logo and jersey for first NRL season amid naming dispute with rival code

The PNG Chiefs have pushed ahead with the unveiling of their logo and jersey despite lingering legal issues with New Zealand Rugby over its rights to use the name.

Pending the outcome of a dispute in New Zealand, the Chiefs will run on to an NRL field for the first time in two years in a black jersey with a white accented “V” and a chest adorned with gold cultural drawings by PNG artist Tabu, with an alternative version largely swapping the black for white.

The club is yet to designate either as the home design, but has formally adopted black, white and gold as its official colours. The palette echoes the colours in the Papua New Guinea flag of red, black, yellow and white that have traditionally been worn by its national sporting teams.

The Chiefs join Penrith, Wests, the Warriors and 2027 entrants Perth Bears as NRL clubs who regularly wear black.

A legal dispute between New Zealand Rugby and the NRL over the Chiefs trademark centres around the Super Rugby club Waikato Chiefs formed in 1996.

An injunction sought by NZ Rugby to prevent the NRL’s Chiefs adoption of the moniker was denied last week in the New Zealand high court. The matter is set to go to trial next year.

The PNG Chiefs logo, which also adds red to the club palette, includes the face of a chief.

According to the club it was “chosen as the central figure of the logo because, across the many cultures of Papua New Guinea, he represents leadership, earned authority and custodianship of his people – the role the club seeks to play as a rare institution belonging to an entire country and proudly bringing its name on to the world stage.”

The PNG Chiefs also plan to enter the women’s competition, the NRLW, using the same branding.

Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson said the unveiling is “one of the most significant milestones” in the club’s history.

“The logo of the PNG Chiefs tells a story about Papua New Guinea – our people, what makes us strong and what makes us unique,” McPherson said.

“The jersey of the PNG Chiefs is more than what players wear when they take to the field – it is a symbol of belonging, unity and the opportunity to represent millions of Papua New Guineans on the national stage.”

The jersey is available for sale in Australia for $159 for adult sizes. A 99 kina ($32) version will also be sold in Papua New Guinea.

“We strive for the PNG Chiefs to be something our country is proud of in every way,” McPherson said. “Not because of the success that we will achieve on the field, but for the opportunities and legacy we will create for our country.”

Black is not only already popular within the NRL, it is worn proudly elsewhere in the Pacific. New Zealand sporting teams are synonymous with the colour of night, most famously in rugby union with the All Blacks.