I believe the IRL truly wants to create a decent ongoing consistent International calendar, it is constantly being attacked by an obtuse NRL..
It’s abundantly clear the ALRC/NRL does NOT want anything to diminish that 3 game showpony between June-July.
2017 RLWC hosted by the NRL
2018 Kangaroos play Tonga and NZ & Pacific Tests put on by the NRL
2019 Oceania Cup organised with the support of the NRL
2020 COVID
2021 COVID
2022 RLWC
2023 Pacific Championship put on by the NRL
2024 Pacific Championship put on by the NRL. NRL intervenes to ensure Samoa tour England
Plus...
NZ Warriors in the NRL with pathways paid for by the NRL
NRL looking to add a second NZ side and no doubt fund those pathways also
PNG Hunters in the Q Cup with the NRL discussing investment in an NRL team and pathways for PNG with the Australian Government
Kaiviti Silktails in the NSWRL setup
NRL looking at investing in Superleague for more global cooperation
NRL do shitloads for international RL. Could they do more? Sure, and they probably will in the coming years.