Axed Western Australia considering legal action

FORMER Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe says the Australian Rugby Union's decision to axe his old club is “disgraceful” as the ARU Players' Association pitched in to call it “the darkest day in Australian rugby”.

Former players expressed their disappointment after the ARU confirmed on Friday that they would cull the West Australian franchise from Super Rugby next season.

Rugby Western Australia plan to pursue “every possible means” to ensure the Force stay in the competition.

The organisation said in a statement: “RugbyWA is considering all options including bringing urgent proceedings in the Supreme Court and legal action relating to the circumstances which led it to enter into the alliance agreement with the ARU.”

The decision has upset players, officials, fans and former players, many of whom have slammed the ARU for their handling of the matter which has dragged on for almost a year.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver announced his resignation, saying the body needed a “clean slate”, and ARU director Geoff Stooke, who is from Western Australia, stepped down in protest at the Force's demise.

“Sports is a difficult business and we have had a difficult year,” said Pulver, above. “This means it is the right time for me to step down and create renewal.”

Pulver's five-year term was set to end in February.

Sharpe, who was the Force's foundation skipper, took to Twitter on Friday, saying the decision made no sense. “The biggest mistake the ARU could have made,” he tweeted. “Time to clear the decks and start fresh.

“Disgraceful. So much good was built in the West. Pathways beginning to pay dividends and now the financial security of a committed community.”

Players' Association chief executive Ross Xenos unloaded on the ARU following the announcement that came 123 days after an initial decision was made to cut an Australian team.

Xenos said: “The future of professional rugby in Western Australia will now be the collateral damage of the decision making of the ARU and SANZAAR to expand Super Rugby to a convoluted and complicated 18 team structure against various advice and modelling received which explained the associated risks.

“Players, staff and their families at Western Force have been put under unprecedented and completely unreasonable duress throughout this ridiculous and destructive process.”

Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, tweeted: “Absolutely gutted by the ARU decision to cut the Western Force license. The State Government is right behind our team. We haven't given up.”