All Blacks vs All Blacks

A small Cornish rugby club is taking on the mighty New Zealand - over the right to use the name All Blacks.

Launceston, known as the Cornish All Blacks, has applied to the Patent Office to register the name as a trademark.

But their famous namesakes are trying to kick the bid into touch, reports The Sun.

They have written to the club twice asking them to withdraw their application and now threaten legal action.

Launceston, who play in National League Two, have been known as the Cornish All Blacks since they were formed in 1948.

It is believed the name came from wartime blackout curtains being used to make their first strip.

Club president Tony Randel said: "It has got pretty heavy. We punch above our weight for a club from a small town, but we are basically a small Cornish club and we don't have the sort of money to fight a legal campaign."

The New Zealand All Blacks, rated the world's No 1 team, said contracts with sponsors forced them to take action against anyone exploiting the All Blacks name.

-Ananova