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Troy Grant, the Chairman of International Rugby League talks to Dave Woods about the future of the international game. The World Cup is just over three months away, but there is no international calendar in place following that tournament. So when will forthcoming tours be announced; is there an appetite in Australia for test match rugby league; how can the sport grow the number of elite nations competing; and what are the plans for women’s and wheelchair internationals?

TIMECODES:

01:30 Troy gives some background to his career in rugby league, the difficulties of his role and how he’s trying to change things.
07:35 He confirms there is huge interest in the World Cup TV rights in Australia, but the organisers are not prepared to just ‘give them away’ as in previous years.
09:00 The issue for international rugby league is the players aren’t centrally contracted, but the appetite is there, although he admits an opportunity has definitely been missed in recent years.
13:40 Troy says the international calendar following the World Cup will be released after the tournament and they’re looking at producing a 12-year one.
15:45 He respects the heritage of the Great Britain Lions, but favours more competition for Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France to develop those nations.
18:00 Despite the perception, Troy says the NRL have invested more in the international game in the southern hemisphere, than Super League have done over here.
20:35 He doesn’t envisage rugby league players ever being centrally contracted like in other sports. He feels to grow the international game it’s more important all fixtures have genuine meaning.
23:25 Troy hints that New Zealand will tour England in 2023 and Australia in 2024.
24;35 He doesn’t agree that nations should be placed in tiers as they are now. And if players do qualify as dual-nationals, they should be allowed to choose who they play for, allowing a better spread of talent.
29:00 Future tours will not be restricted to the men’s game, they will possibly also include the women’s and wheelchair teams.
32:00 He believes the focus over here should be on expanding the impact and the number of games which the home nations play.
36:25 Troy doesn’t believe the World Cup should be played every two years, as it will lose its impact and prestige.
37:25 Ultimately he’s looking to put a multi-tour format in place each year, so more than one nation is touring in the northern or southern hemisphere at any one time.