PNG Chief Australia NRL name could land in court

The crowd at the recent Prime Minister's 13 rugby league match in Port Moresby (Image: ABC)

Papua New Guinea, naming its national rugby league team 'Chiefs could land in an international litigation.

Social Media - Facebook is trending with the "chiefs" sporting name dispute reported this morning by an Australian media company, taking the limelight away from the PNG Kumuls versus Fiji Batis match today.

New Zealand Rugby believes the name Chiefs and uniform colors resemble the trademark of Waikato Chiefs, "where the rights date back to the team's inception, when Super Rugby began in 1996.

According to the report, despite New Zealand Rugby owning the Chiefs brand, the National Rugby League believes it will bypass a legal suit because the Australian Rugby League had trademarked the name "PNG Chiefs" rather than the generic name "Chiefs".

Meanwhile, during the team name announcement last month, Prime Minister James Marape said they are aware that the name Chiefs is similar to Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby following consultation with the Australia Rugby League and NRL to avoid legal implications.

Marape said the Australia NRL was satisfied with the name Chiefs, and assured the PNG Chiefs Board that they will support the name, Chiefs.

PNG Chiefs Board Chairman Ray Dib also shared similar sentiments of the all clear.

It is understood that the PNG Chiefs Board is in the process to announce the logo and colors.