In short, for many years, the game had changed.
Appetite down under for international rugby league waned as the yearly State of Origin series, which pits representative players from New South Wales and Queensland against each other in a best-of-three competition, took precedence, along with the National Rugby League (NRL).
In recent times, however, international rugby league has enjoyed something of a revival.
Australia’s squad bonded three years ago on their way to winning the Covid-delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup, reinstating their passion for the green and gold shirt.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Championships have emerged as a successful tournament involving the Kangaroos, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa.
Those factors have led to Australia committing to a three-Test tour of England for the first time in a generation.
It is all the more impressive, given the intensity with which the NRL is played, that Australia have committed to travelling to these shores for a much-anticipated series.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.