Blues shift training base to Kingscliff

Dec 9, 2016 - 12:40 AM NSW will move their training base to just 10km south of the border with Queensland as they face the daunting task of playing two games in Brisbane next year to win back the State of Origin title.

Coach Laurie Daley announced on Friday he would shift his side's camp to Kingscliff in northern NSW next year after ending their three-year stay in Coffs Harbour.

The Blues will be based at their new $20 million centre of excellence at Olympic Park in Sydney's west from 2018.

Next year they will train at Cudgen Leagues Club, just south of the Gold Coast, ahead of game one on May 31 and game three on July 12, both to be played at Suncorp Stadium in the Queensland capital.

Daley said Kingscliff, an hour-and-a-half south of Brisbane, was chosen because he wanted to cut down travel time.

"We wanted to change our approach to the Brisbane games and have less time in Brisbane, as well as not losing a day in travel as we have done in the past," Daley said.

"When NRL teams play in Brisbane they don't arrive three days in advance of the game.

It's not known where the Blues will stay in Sydney ahead of game two but are considering several options including Penrith.

The Blues are desperate to win back the Origin shield after losing ten of the last 11 series.

Daley has shaken up his set-up for next year, bringing in Blues legend Peter Sterling as an advisor, John Cartwright as an assistant coach and Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson as an assistant team manager.

Source: AAP