The future of the Western Force remains uncertain after a judge reserved his decision on an appeal against the club's axing from the Super Rugby competition.

On Wednesday, New South Wales Supreme Court judge David Hammerschlag gave Rugby WA leave to appeal against the Australian Rugby Union's decision, and then proceeded to hear the case.

The ARU's decision to cut Force was made earlier this month and confirmed in an arbitration hearing.

Rugby Western Australia argues the ARU has broken a commercial contract giving the Force a place in Super Rugby until December 2020.

The Supreme Court challenge to the decision has the financial backing of mining billionaire Andrew Forrest.

Forrest made an offer to the ARU believed to be with $50 million to keep the Force afloat in Super Rugby, but it was rejected yesterday.

He met key ARU figures, including chairman Cameron Clyne, for three hours in Adelaide.

Clyne said the ARU appreciated the offer but it was not in a position to retain the Force, as it had made a commitment to the Super Rugby's governing body, SANZAAR.

"We were genuinely appreciative of Andrew's generous offer to back the Western Force and Australian Rugby, however, given the position we are in we are unable to work towards retaining five teams in Super Rugby," Clyne said in a statement.

"We are at the final stages of this process and Australian Rugby's constituents have voted to reduce Australia's Super Rugby representation to four teams and we have made commitments to SANZAAR."

Players' association 'bewildered' by ARU response

The Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) described the ARU's decision to reject Andrew Forrest's $50 million offer as bewildering.

RUPA chief executive Ross Xenos said he did not believe the offer was seriously considered.

"We're deeply disappointed, surprised, and bewildered at the fact that a very generous offer to secure the long-term future of the grassroots game was not, as far as we're aware, deeply consulted or engaged with by the ARU yesterday," Xenos said.

He said it was not an easy time for the players.

"This is a really difficult time for that group of young men. We have got a situation where this protracted SANZAAR review keeps going," he said.

"They remain unbelievably united and unbelievably positive about the future of Rugby in Western Australia."

Xenos said RUPA strongly believed the continuation of five Super Rugby teams in Australia was in the best interests of the sport.

But he believed the formation of a new league was a possibility.

"Very early stages but as we understand, it would be a competition in Perth that also expands up into the Asian regions," he said.

The Force held a public rally in Perth on Sunday, with thousands of supporters attending to protest the decision to axe the Super Rugby franchise.