Phipps fears Folau has damaged the Wallabies

WALLABIES ace Nick Phipps is concerned with the damage done to Australian Rugby Union by Israel Folau.

- Neale Harvey

Phipps, capped by Australia for the 72nd time against Samoa in September, is disturbed by the way the game has fallen away in the esteem of Aussie fans.

The scrum-half, who says he is now done with international rugby as he turns his attention to helping London Irish become a Premiership force, said: “It’s just sad.

“There’s so much that’s been bubbling for five or ten years, and the stuff with Israel, below, has really accentuated it and let the other two codes, Aussie Rules and League, take over the sporting scene.

“We know that the best people are in Rugby Union, but we’re seen as the worst people at the moment throughout Australia. There’s a lot of focus on all that and it’s not good with a new TV rights deal coming up.”

Phipps, a Super Rugby winner with the Waratahs in 2014 who represented Australia at two World Cups, playing in the 2015 final against New Zealand, added: “There are so many players who love the game and so many awesome clubs who’d like to build it up again, but they’ve been left behind a bit.

“Hopefully, something starts to change soon. You’d still have a lot of faith in the Wallabies being strong in future, but to be so our clubs at all levels need proper support.”

Phipps failed to make the Australian World Cup squad and believes he must now devote more time to his young family and make the most of his club career after heading north.