New Earswick's amateur rugby league team are bracing themselves to tackle the mighty New Zealand - not on the pitch, but over their nickname of the All Blacks.

The York club has been contacted by a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union's (NZRU) legal team demanding to know on what basis they are called All Blacks - suggesting they see the rival code village club as a possible marketing threat.

New Earswick now fear the original RU World Cup winners might become heavy-handed over a possible trade name - but marketing manager Mark Tipping said they would not lose their title without a fight.

In an email to Mr Tipping, Stephen Cottrell, general counsel for NZRU, said: "If our licensees see third parties making use of the name All Blacks when they are not authorised to do so, this compromises exclusivity and ultimately our revenue streams.

"We understand from your website you sell merchandise bearing the name All Blacks and make fairly widespread use of this name. This has potentially significant commercial implications for us."

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller was apparently "tipped off" about their namesakes by New Zealand's Sunday News newspaper.

Moller told them: "Even though it's another sport, and an amateur organisation, we are obliged to take steps."

But he said: "We're not in the business of trying to use big heavy boots on these sorts of things."

Mr Tipping told the Evening Press: "I thought it was a wind-up at first but it seems it's for real. We've emailed them back and it's a case of wait and see, but we would be reluctant to relinquish our name as it's our history."

He said: "I suppose we can't be doing badly with our marketing if we've got them worried."

Updated: 09:16 Saturday, April 17, 2004