Western Force opt for legal fight after Super Rugby axe

Western Force have opted for the legal route to fightback from the decision of Australia Rugby Union to axe the Perth based club from the Super Rugby competition.

RugbyWA that owns the Force franchise have requested  for an appeal with the Supreme Court in New South Wales on the issue and have won an won an injunction against the Australian board.

ARU Chairman Cameron Clyne stated that the move to cancel the license of Western Force was taken due to the board's financial instability to maintain five Super Rugby teams as the competition now becomes a 15-team affair with Cheetahs and Kings joining Pro 14 as well.

The decision on whether they will be allowed to appeal will be out on next Monday but till then ARU cannot sack or relocate any of Force's players because of the injunction.

Billionaire Andrew Forrest has thrown his weight behind the Perth franchise and has urged for a complete overhaul of ARU board members.

Meanwhile, ARU's decision to cut Force came after they won an arbitration on Friday during which the Western Australia franchise pointed out that the Australian board bought Force's license as a part of the 'alliance deal' agreed by the two parties that will see them guarantee the franchise's future until the end of the broadcast deal in 2020.

However, ARU in its defence argued that the old broadcast deal no longer existed as they new one is being negotiated following the reduction of teams from 18 to 15.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver decided to resign from his role and urged for "clean slate" in Australian rugby while director Geoff Stooke, who is from Western Australia stepped down to mark the protest of Force axing.