Captain Matt Hodgson, a veteran of the club, held back tears that day, while teammates and Wallabies representatives Adam Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty were informed of the news before training on the Tuesday. “Frustrated, angry, annoyed and disappointed,” Hodgson said at the time. “You see what it means to people.” Billionaire Andrew Forrest, who leapt to the Force's aid, has a heart to heart with Hodgson in 2017. Credit:Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au With an important Test coming up, it sparked widespread anger in Perth, whose rugby fraternity could not comprehend the ARU’s decision to punt their beloved boys in blue. Players banded together and many shared plenty of lagers late into the following morning – and how could you blame them?

Some fans decided to boycott the Test, which the Wallabies drew 23-23, while many opted to wear their Force attire in a show of solidarity. Almost two years on and the Wallabies are back in Perth for the first time since that week, this time with an assignment against the All Blacks before them. Springboks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and Wallabies second-rower Adam Coleman go toe-to-toe in the Perth Test of 2017. Credit:AAP There is still palpable animosity in the west over the handling of the Force’s axing but the fact tickets for the Bledisloe Cup opener at the newly built Optus Stadium have sold out shows rugby still has a heartbeat, even if not all is rosy. According to RugbyWA's 2018 annual report, released in June, participation rates had reduced by 20 per cent in senior and eight per cent in junior leagues. The organisation also said it was trying to negotiate a $1 million debt bailout from the state government.

Rugby figures in the west feel the jury is still out on whether RA has done enough to support rugby in the state over the past two years. Hodgson said West Australians had not forgotten how the messy saga played out. “Rugby is strong in Western Australia but there will always be that feeling of sadness about what has happened,” Hodgson told the Herald. “It’s a combination of things. It’s difficult to put into words. To have something taken away from you is pretty difficult, especially when we were doing some positive things here. Everyone is excited though to be part of a sell-out crowd on Saturday and hopefully that results in a win for the Wallabies. “Players always wanted a pathway and for a while there was a bit of an unknown of playing football in Perth wondering what is next. Now with the establishment of Rapid Rugby we’re actually showing a pathway.” Coleman, along with Haylett-Petty, packed his bags and signed for the Melbourne Rebels in the 2018 Super Rugby season. Most players from the Force side two years ago have found other clubs.