Sydney went from hosting a final of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup to being restricted to a pair of pool games within a month, with the official draw confirming the Harbour City would be on football rations for that year's biggest sporting event.

Organisers unveiled the cup draw on Tuesday in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. And while Brisbane was the big winner with the final and a semi-final, Sydney was the major loser after a late change of heart from the state government harpooned their prospects.

A game to share: Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is not perturbed that Sydney will see just two games of the 2017 World Cup. Credit:Getty Images

Instead, Darwin and Melbourne are the Australian cities to host quarter-finals, with the remaining two in Christchurch and Wellington. Brisbane and Auckland host the semi-finals, with the decider to be held in early December at Suncorp Stadium.

Tournament chief executive Michael Brown said the Queensland government had been enthusiastic in bidding for the event, which has seen eight games booked throughout the state, including pool matches in Townsville and Cairns.