PNG Chiefs welcome High Court ruling, NZ Rugby name dispute set to continue into 2027

Key points

• A New Zealand High Court judge has dismissed a request for an urgent injunction over the PNG Chiefs name and branding. The ruling came before the planned launch of the team's logo and jersey in Port Moresby.
• Rugby NZ says the decision is not a judgment on the strength of its case, and the matter will be heard in full. The dispute is set to continue in the New Zealand courts in 2027, and the NRL may have to change the name if it loses.
• PNG Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson welcomed the decision.