This is the jersey that New Zealand Rugby didn’t want you to see.
It is the first look at the inaugural PNG Chiefs jersey, and a logo that has the power to unite a nation. As far as the NRL is concerned, it’s a motif worth fighting for.
Promising development players Gairo Voro, Morea Morea and Finley Glare modelled the striking black strips at a jersey launch in front of guests that included PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy and Australian Rugby League Commissioners Peter Beattie and Wayne Pearce at the Hilton in Port Moresby on Wednesday morning.
The logo features a chief composed of four key elements – the feather headpiece demonstrating status earned; the cassowary bone demonstrating the courage of the warriors; the face demonstrating the nation; and the kina shells, demonstrating wealth and the islands.
They are values the club intends to represent for the only country that calls rugby league its national sport.
However, it’s a logo launch that would never have happened had the 15-man code got its way. New Zealand Rugby applied for an urgent injunction last Friday, in a bid to protect the brand name of the Chiefs rugby franchise. However, that application was rejected, with the matter to be thrashed out in a New Zealand courtroom next year.
The NRL argued its use of the Chiefs name in Australia and PNG was not a trademark breach in New Zealand, and maintained it would be “next to impossible to rebrand at this point”.
The legal fight only brought further intrigue and publicity to a momentous day for PNG, which now has a symbol to unite a nation where more than 800 languages are spoken.
During the official launch ceremony, Beattie addressed what he described as “the elephant in the room”.
“At the risk of being tedious, I want to refer to one part of the judgment,” Beattie said. “The judge, a very learned judge, said: ‘I also have some doubts about other causes of action that require confusion, deception, or misleading conduct. These two teams are clearly distinct. One is from Hamilton in New Zealand and has existed since 1996; the other is from Papua New Guinea since 2027. They play a different sport in a separate competition, and I pose the question at the hearing: what would be the confusion?’”
Beattie then concluded with “I rest my case!” and was greeted with loud applause.
The jersey was designed by local artist Tabu Pelei Warupi. She conceded she feared her vision may have never come to life after rugby’s legal challenge.
“Of course, there was a lot of talk about it,” she said. “Hopefully it can be resolved on good terms and we can use it …
“It’s hard to describe, I’m so proud [to see the design unveiled]. It represents more than just the game, it’s the entire country.”
Commercially, the jersey is perhaps the most lucrative in world rugby league from a sponsorship standpoint.
“The value of our jersey is much higher than almost all of the Australian NRL teams in the NRL,” said PNG Prime Minister James Marape.
It will be worn by some of the biggest names in the game. The fledgling franchise is yet to reach its first free-agency period, but has already recruited Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax, Joey Manu, Connor Watson, Brian To’o, Alex Johnston and Matty Lees. Marape said the role of tax-free dollars in luring them over was overstated.
“Many people say the tax incentives are the incentive. I beg to differ,” Marape said.
“No amount of money can equate to dislocating from your comfort zone. Many are dislocating from their comfort zones to join us in Port Moresby to make our dream come true.”
Rugby league jerseys retail for between $160 and $190 in Australia, but will be sold at a fraction of the price in PNG to ensure locals can afford them.
“This is the first time that our club has its true, complete identity – a logo and jersey that our players, partners and fans can hold to as their own,” said Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson.
“The logo of the PNG Chiefs tells a story about Papua New Guinea – our people, what makes us strong and what makes us unique. 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.
“We know the responsibility that comes with establishing this club and we are incredibly proud to show our club to the world today. We strive for the PNG Chiefs to be something our country is proud of in every way – not because of the success that we will achieve on the field, but for the opportunities and legacy we will create for our country.”
Adrian Proszenko travelled to Port Moresby as a guest of the PNG Chiefs
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