NRL wins first round in court fight with NZ Rugby over PNG Chiefs name

The NRL has won the first stage of its legal battle with New Zealand Rugby over the PNG Chiefs name, after Wellington's High Court rejected NZ Rugby's application for an interim injunction. The ruling means PNG can continue using the Chiefs name ahead of the club's logo and jersey launch in Port Moresby next week, although the case will still be heard in full and the NRL could yet be forced to rebrand. Justice Karen Grau questioned whether sports fans would genuinely confuse the two teams. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys welcomed the decision and called NZ Rugby hypocritical given the Auckland Blues' use of the NSW Blues name, while NZ Rugby says it will continue to fight to protect its trademark.

By Peter Badel, CODE Sports — read the full story