Hill takes over as RLWC chief executive

Andrew Hill has been appointed as the new Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) boss, taking over from Michael Brown after his controversial resignation.

Hill will step aside from his duties with the NRL as game development manager to head the game's international showpiece to be held next year in Australia.

"Rugby league is well placed, both domestically and internationally, to experience growth in participation and popularity in the coming years and I see the Rugby League World Cup in 2017 as the ideal platform for us achieving this," Hill said in a statement released by the RLWC organising committee.

Brown stood down in July after a row with Penrith chief executive Corey Payne after the release of the tournament schedule featuring only two matches to be held in Sydney at Allianz Stadium.

Tournament chairman Dr George Peponis welcomed the move to appoint Hill.

"Andrew's experience in working at the club level, as a senior executive with the NRL and the international federation brings a unique outlook to the game," Peponis said.

"It's this all-of-game perspective that we think is important in leading the Rugby League World Cup and will complement the skills of those already serving on the organising committee."