Mal Meninga has a vision for lifting international rugby league in Europe after extending his tenure as Kangaroos coach until the end of 2021.

The new two-year contract means Meninga remains in charge of the national team through next year’s Kangaroos tour of England and the World Cup there in 2021.

“I’m very humbled and privileged to be allowed to coach the Kangaroos for the next couple of years,” Meninga said.

“Bringing back the Kangaroo tour is fantastic. To have three games against the England side plus a domestic club or France while we are over there.

“And that leads into the World Cup. We all know how strong the English are getting now and how strong New Zealand are going to get.”

Meninga’s eyes are now very much on success on those tours, with his squad having been reshaped significantly since winning the last World Cup in 2017.

Outgoing ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie on Monday paid tribute to Meninga’s efforts to make the Kangaroos jersey the pinnacle of the Australian game again.

But the Kangaroos coach also has wider vision for the game, after pushing for more Tests against Pacific nations last year.

France will arrive in Australia for the Nines this month as well as a match against Australia’s under-23s side, and Meninga wants futher development of teams in Europe.

“Hopefully France (improve too),” Meninga said.

“They need to test themselves against better opposition.

“I would like to see Ireland, Scotland and Wales and those teams have more games on an international stage as well.

“We want to not only grow the Pacific base but also the northern hemisphere base.”

Meninga was appointed coach of the national team in December 2015 and led them to a Rugby League World Cup title in 2017.

He has now coached Australia in 15 matches, with a loss to New Zealand last year his only setback despite the change within the squad.