The Western Force has made good on threats to fight its axing from the Super Rugby competition, today appealing the decision to the NSW Supreme Court.
WA's rugby governing body, Rugby WA, lodged the appeal this morning. The ABC understands a hearing has been set down for Wednesday August 23.
Rugby WA has also obtained an injunction restraining the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) from taking any action on the decision to axe the club, pending the hearing of the appeal.
It continues a long-running saga for the ARU, which began with speculation back in March that the Force would be cut.
The club had been arguing an alliance agreement signed last August with the ARU guaranteed its survival until at least the end of the current broadcast deal in 2020.
But the Force has lost an arbitration case, leaving the ARU free to axe the franchise as part of a plan to reduce Super Rugby from 18 teams to 15.
When the announcement was handed down on Friday, Force CEO Mark Sinderberry warned the club would seek a Supreme Court injunction to prevent it from being axing until the appeal was heard.
"We're absolutely convinced this is the wrong decision and we will be taking every possible means to ensure we turn this decision around," he said.
Billionaire businessman Andrew Forrest — who is among those who have backed the campaign to save the Force — described the decision as "dumb" and vowed to provide financial support for a legal fight.
"This could be a try against us, but it is not the end of the game," he said.
"I do not know legally if an injunction is possible, but I can tell you this, we'll be doing our very best to try."
