Australian Rugby Union

Western Force fight could go to high court

Billionaire backer Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest is considering all legal avenues and it is believed the Force are willing to exhaust all options available pending appeal rights, which could drag the saga out long enough for them to compete in the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Super Rugby officials are nervously awaiting the outcome of the appeal hearing before finalising a draw for next year.

However, if the Force pursue other avenues and are able to win an injunction against the ARU's decision, the legal process could drag on for months and affect Super Rugby planning for 2018.

Western Force axed from Super Rugby

"The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has today resolved to discontinue the Western Force Super Rugby licence," read a statement released on Friday.

"The decision comes after several weeks of consultation with rugby bodies and stakeholders, including government and commercial partners."

The Force agreed to enter arbitration last week with the ARU, who said in April that they would cut either the Force or the Melbourne Rebels from Super Rugby next season as the competition contracts from 18 to 15 teams.

SANZAAR saga to drag on past Easter

ARU chairman Cameron Clyne says the governing body's initial plan to decide which franchise will be cut from the competition by Thursday had been scrapped.

Given it's then Good Friday and a public holiday long weekend, players, staff, their families and fans of the Rebels and Force are almost certain to be left on tenterhooks until at least next Tuesday before the ARU hands down its decision.

Rugby reeling after death of former Wallaby Dan Vickerman

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said the rugby world was in shock after the news.

The Union said Vickerman passed away at his family home in Sydney on Saturday night.

It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

The giant lock played 63 Tests for the Wallabies in an international Rugby career spanning a decade from 2002-2011.

His final Test appearance was the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland.

Former Wallaby Dan Vickerman dead

The Union says Vickerman passed away at his family home in Sydney overnight.

He was just 37 years of age.

It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

The giant lock played 63 Tests for the Wallabies in an international Rugby career spanning a decade from 2002-2011.

His final Test appearance was the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland.