The NRL could finally name its new boss this week - six months after Dave Smith stepped down from the post.

The ARL Commission meets this week and top of the agenda is expected to be the new chief executive. The NRL's head of football Todd Greenberg remains the leading contender.

Smith quit the game's top job on October 19 last year. ARL Commission chairman John Grant has been rugby league's leading official over that time. His duties have included appointing Mal Meninga as the new Kangaroos coach.

The NRL launched a "worldwide" search when Smith departed and earlier this year the game's official website said the new NRL CEO "will be someone who has a love of the game and will be tasked with helping grow not just the NRL within Australia but the sport of rugby league".

"I think rugby league needs to be and can be the pre-eminent sport in Australia," Grant said.

"Every indicator says that it can be. Playing off its international opportunities as well just gives it another string to its bow.

"We see the NRL firstly as the game of Australia but we see NRL as an opportunity to launch rugby league more strongly into the world game."

Canterbury boss Raelene Castle and Gold Coast CEO Graham Annesley have also been mentioned as candidates for the top job, as has Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page and ex-Panthers boss Warren Wilson.