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NSW keep open mind on future Origin camps

NSW could be on the road again during State of Origin next year, with construction on their centre of excellence in Homebush behind schedule.

NSW Blues Origin players during a training session in Kingscliff.
NSW have set up their base in Kingscliff ahead of the two Origin games in Brisbane this year. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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This may not be the final NSW Origin camp outside Sydney.

New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) chief executive Dave Trodden has declared all options for the future of NSW State of Origin camps are on the table next year, including a return to Kingscliff.

It was believed the expected completion of a centre of excellence in Homebush this year would spell the end of the traditional 10-day Origin preparation away from Sydney.

However, Trodden admitted the Blues could be on the road again with construction on their new $20 million base, adjacent to ANZ Stadium, behind schedule.

Options for 2018 include the possibility of returning to their current camp in Kingscliff, where they moved this year after spending recent campaigns in Coffs Harbour.

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It was initially expected NSWRL would move into its new home, complete with playing field, gymnasium, administration block and hydrotherapy room, by the end of 2017.

That timeline has seemingly been pushed back another 12 months.

A decision isn't expected to be made about NSW's plans for 2018 until later this year.

"Our plans for next year aren't crystallised depending on a number of different things, one is the completion of our centre of excellence at Sydney Olympic Park," Trodden told AAP.

"We'll have a discussion about the different approaches we take to different locations, where we're going to play next year.

"All those things will happen over the course of the next few months."

Trodden opted not to comment on whether the Blues would return to The Star casino, which attracted some criticism from star Andrew Fifita after their game two build-up.

Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will each host an Origin game in 2018, with game two slated to be played on a stand-alone weekend with a shorter build-up.


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