Grassroots rugby supporters braved the rain this weekend, turning out in droves to watch local club games.
But as they unfolded their camp chairs on the sidelines, talk inevitably turned to the demise of the Western Force and what it meant for the sport more broadly in WA.
Tash Koyanasau was there to cheer on her nephew who moved to Perth from Hamilton in New Zealand after taking up an opportunity to play for local team Palmyra.
"He came over to Australia thinking that he's got a chance with the Force one day," Ms Koyanasau said.
"To hear that it's been axed is quite discouraging for West Australian rugby.
"You can see how many people come out to watch, even in this weather.
"I hope they make the effort to try and keep it alive."
Decision had no 'logic or due process'
Bob Hunter, who works for the Western Force's Community Rugby division, says is angry at the decision and concerned about the impact it will have at a grassroots level.
"It'll be a significant impact and it's only negative," he said.
"It'll have an impact on what people aspire to, on being able to see the top level of rugby.
"It's not a decision that can be supported with logic or due process.
"None of it is good."
ARU move 'utter travesty'
The president of the Cottesloe Rugby Union Club Ross MacDonald was also out watching the competition.
He described the ARU's move as a "complete and utter travesty".
"It'll put club rugby in WA back 20 years," he said.
"If you take it down to the much younger players, they're devastated, they've got no-one to look up to.
"They've had players that they can touch and watch play, that goes away.
"It all becomes just an image on a TV screen."
The Perth-based franchise commissioned mining magnate Andrew Forrest in an attempt to secure its future.
He ramped up his attack on the ARU, calling for a complete overhaul of its board.
"The ARU board has not published its reasons for its decision because it knows that it will be vilified for its lack of even the most basic credibility," Mr Forrest said.
"It's time to appoint an independent board to allow Super Rugby to have a chance to repair and to succeed and, that means, with the Western Force firmly in place."
Force demise could hurt WA support for rugby
On Saturday WA's Health Minister and a foundation member of the Western Force, Roger Cook, said he would boycott future Wallabies game in protest over the ARU's decision.
Ross MacDonald suspects that sentiment will be shared by many.
"I don't know anyone that's planning to buy tickets for the South Africa game," he said.
"There's a big conversation about returning all Wallabies paraphernalia.
"WA is passionate about its rugby. This is a kick in the guts."
