Morley won the NRL Grand Final with the Roosters in 2002

"Coming to Australia is the best thing players can do for their careers," he told the Herald Sun newspaper.

"I wouldn't be the player I am now if I hadn't done it and I'm hoping other players will see that and come, too."

Front rower Morley is due to play for the Lions against New Zealand on 27 June but will now only arrive in England just 24 hours before kick-off.

That is because his club side, Sydney Roosters, want him to play in the NRL game against Canberra on Sunday before flying out.

Morley, who will return to Britain at the end of the season to play for Warrington, signed for the Roosters in 2001 and was joined at the club this year by ex-St Helens forward Mark Edmondson.

Irishman Brian Carney is making a big impact at the Newcastle Knights before his move to the Gold Coast Titans next season where he will link up with Leeds full-back Richie Mathers.

"I would like to think more players will head to play in the NRL when they are still young," said Morley.

The NRL gives you a great grounding Adrian Morley

"It's great that Brian Carney is here and doing well, but he is at the end of his career. We need guys in their early 20s to take a chance and come here. That's what Richie Mathers is doing and I hope more will follow.

"If you look at the Kiwis, almost every one of their squad plays in the NRL. That is something Great Britain needs to go some way towards copying if we are to be competitive internationally.

"There's no doubt the NRL is the best competition in the world and it gives you such a great grounding. The coaching and the tough matches you get here are so good."

Earlier this season, Salford's Malcolm Alker and Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin both rejected moves to Australia while Bradford's Stuart Fielden has been linked with a switch down under.

Morley also believes a swap scheme involving Australian and British junior players could boost the international game.