PNG Chiefs unveil inaugural logo, jersey in NRL’s ‘watershed’ moment

The PNG Chiefs have officially unveiled their inaugural logo and jersey as the NRL’s soon-to-be 19th team prepares to enter the league in 2028.

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Inaugural head coach Willie Peters, chief executive Lorna McPherson and representatives from the Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments gathered on Wednesday for the special event, which the Chiefs described as a “watershed occasion” for the new club.

The logo was designed by a team of Papua New Guinean graphic artists, while the jersey features cultural drawings by well-known local artist TABU.

The chief is the focal point of the logo, with the Chiefs explaining in a statement that it was chosen as the central figure because “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 logo has four key elements:

1. The feather headpieces which represents “strength, beauty, chiefly status and national pride, with the Southern Cross connecting the club to the nation’s flag”.

2. The cassowary bone which is inspired by warrior traditions and represents “chiefly status, courage, power and the fighting spirit of the team”.

3. The face which represents “the shape of Papua New Guinea, with ceremonial red paint showing a nation united through one warrior, one team and one purpose”.

4. The kina shells which represent “traditional wealth, trade and prestige across Papua New Guinea’s coastal, island and highland communities”.

McPherson called the unveiling of the logo and jersey “one of the most significant milestones in the journey of the PNG Chiefs”.

“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,” she added.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls stars and 2028 PNG Chiefs Development players Gairo Voro, Morea Morea and Finley Glare attended Wednesday’s event to model the jersey.

Fans in PNG will be able to purchase the jersey from several licensed outlets right throughout the country, while supporters in Australia and beyond can make orders online as well as in selected stores.

PNG’s plans to release both the logo and jersey were thrown into doubt earlier this month when NZ Rugby launched legal action against the NRL over the naming of the league’s 19th team.

However, the Chiefs had a small win in that legal battle last week when a judge rejected their bid for an injunction.

The NRL could still be forced to change the PNG team’s name with the case to be heard in a New Zealand courtroom early next year.

However, NRL boss Peter V’landys has vowed to “defend this vigorously”, accusing NZ Rugby of “mind-blowing hypocrisy” given the Auckland Blues were formed in 1996 “without any consultation or approval”.