Rugby League World Cup chief executive Michael Brown resigns

Michael Brown has resigned from his position as chief executive of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Brown, who was appointed in June 2015, made the shock announcement just three days after unveiling the tournament at a ceremony in Brisbane.

He has also resigned from his role as chief commercial officer for Australia's National Rugby League.

Brown, who was forced to defend the organisers' decision to stage just two of the 28 World Cup matches in Sydney, said he was reluctant to move on from the roles, especially with the World Cup still 15 months away.

"However, the task of taking on two such senior roles - especially away from my home town of Melbourne - has been particularly stressful," he said.

"The World Cup preparations are well advanced and I am very confident the foundations are in place for a successful tournament.

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"The NRL has also put together a strong commercial team to take the game forward so this an appropriate time to step aside."

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and World Cup chairman Dr George Peponis said they understood Brown's position and had accepted his resignation.

The board of the 2017 World Cup say they will consider plans for a replacement and in the meantime have appointed RLWC chief operating officer Maria Sykes in an interim role.