Outgoing ARLC chairman John Grant says international rugby league is the future and the NRL needs to lift their act to help support it.

“I am an internationalist,” Grant said.

“The game of rugby league in Australia and England, if it retains its focus exclusively on the territories in which it currently operates, can’t grow and capitalise on this game.

“We’ve got to start focusing on the international environment and that means clubs in our league, the NRL need to lift their eyes.”

England and New Zealand look set to play a historic game in Denver next year before the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.