Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill questioned the timing of the Kangaroos tour to Britain.

The Australian rugby league tour of Britain will coincide with the knock-out stages of the Rugby World Cup.

"It's entirely up to the Australian Rugby League to determine the international match schedule for the Kangaroos and I presume they put the tour together with eyes wide," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"But it does appear to be an unusual coincidence that the three Tests against Great Britain coincide with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final of one of the major sporting events, being held here at home.

"If the intention and the objective is to re-establish the Kangaroos as a major international competitive force, that's fine. They have a wonderful tradition and history, and to re-establish international rugby league as the pinnacle of the game is a very sound objective.

"I simply question the timing of attempting to do this when the eyes of the world will largely be focused here in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney."

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