Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Maroons Demolish Blues, Williams Sisters Reunite & Socceroos vs USA Preview

Queensland levelled the State of Origin series in devastating fashion — winning Game 2 44-24 in what was the Maroons' highest score in 11 years. A dominant second half performance saw Queensland pull away with multiple tries to Sam Walker, Selwyn Cobbo, Jojo Fifita and The Hammer as NSW struggled to get out of their own half. Mark Nawaqanitawase scored on debut in a rare highlight for the Blues. Daniel breaks down exactly what went wrong for NSW, what Queensland got right and what it all means heading into a series decider.In one of the most magical stories in tennis — Venus and Serena Williams have been granted a wildcard to play doubles together at Wimbledon. The first time the sisters have teamed up at Wimbledon since 2016 and their first Grand Slam doubles appearance together since 2022. With 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and an unbeaten record in major doubles finals together, the sporting world will stop and watch.The Australian Diamonds squad has been named for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow — Liz Watson leads as captain heading into her third Commonwealth Games with Jamie Lee Price set to make her Games debut. Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina in their World Cup opener almost 20 years to the day of his tournament debut. Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway. Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning double for France. And Gout Gout has broken another Australian record — this time in the rarely run 150m distance at the Golden Spike meet in Czech Republic, finishing third behind Noah Lyles who set the world best time.This weekend — both Super Netball Semi Finals take centre stage. The Thunderbirds host the Vixens in the Major Semi Final with the winner going straight through to the Grand Final. The Fever face the Mavericks in the Minor Semi Final in what could be a historic first finals win for Melbourne's newest club. The Socceroos face the USA at 5am Saturday morning in the most anticipated game of Australia's World Cup campaign. And Fremantle host Geelong tonight in an AFL top of the table clash.Episode 14 of The Sports Playbook Thursday Preview. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.