This has been made more difficult than it needs to be. It is really simple. Align the seasons and Grand Finals for both competitions. Two weeks after the season ends play the WCC final. this gives teams a week to celebrate and travel and acclimatise. Play the game in Asia and meet halfway. Hong Kong has a rugby stadium. Singapore has a soccer stadium that could be used. Thailand has a soccer stadium. Make it a promotional event for Rugby League., there are plenty of expats from both countries in Asia who would go and watch, as well as travelling fans from both sides.
Throwing in the USA round one game just makes it very draining for the team that has to travel twice to play games at the start of the season. Two lots of jet lag, two lots of climate adjustment. It is dumb to inflict that work load on players.