Western Force

Justice David Hammerschlag dismissed the appeal against an arbitration ruling in favour of the Australian Rugby Union that allowed the governing body to cut the Force from the Super Rugby competition.

Despite the ruling, RugbyWA are likely to continue their fight for the Force to survive with billionaire back Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest prepared to take the matter as far as the High Court.

The ARU had agreed to cut a team in March in a meeting with Sanzaar officials in London where the broader decision was made to reduce the Super Rugby competition from 18 teams to 15.

The fallout from the Western Force's axing from Super Rugby continues with the State Government now flexing their muscles in terms of possible legal action at a potential $1m price tag.

The West Australian are reporting the State Government has told the ARU it is investigating money they have invested under the thought the Force's place in Super Rugby was guaranteed. Particularly the redevelopment costs of the stadium in Perth which the Force uses.

"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.

The eight-try romp saw wing Tevita Li, fullback Patrick Osborne and his replacement Rob Thompson (two), flank Dillon Hunt and centre Richard Buckman also cross the line.

The Highlanders have now moved 10 points clear of the Blues in the fourth playoff spot in the New Zealand Conference after 12 matches, significantly boosting their chances of making the knockout stages.

The victory is the eighth in succession for the 2015 Super Rugby champions, who had started the campaign miserably with three defeats in their opening four games.