Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: NSW Blues Ambush Queensland Maroons, No FIFA Host Nations Left, Richest Sports Media Deal

The NSW Blues have won the 2026 State of Origin series in the most dramatic fashion — ambushing Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in their own backyard to claim the shield. Nathan Cleary was named Man of the Match in a performance that reminded everyone why he is the best player in the game. Daniel breaks down exactly how the Blues pulled it off, what it means for the series and the legacy of this NSW side.The NRL has signed the richest sports media deal in Australian sporting history — $5.3 billion across seven years from the end of the 2027 season. Channel 9 retains free-to-air rights including State of Origin and the Grand Final. Foxtel remains the pay TV partner. An extra game is added to each round from 2027. But there is a significant concern — the number of NRLW games on free-to-air will halve from 66 to 33. Daniel gives his take on what that means for the growth of the women's game.No host nations remain in the FIFA World Cup. Belgium sent the USA packing 4-1, England knocked out Mexico on home soil and Spain eliminated Portugal in what was almost certainly Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup game. Argentina barely scraped through against Egypt, coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in one of the most dramatic Round of 16 matches of the tournament.South Africa are reportedly looking to poach BBL talent ahead of their domestic T20 competition — a story worth watching for Cricket Australia given the contract battles already happening with franchise cricket globally.This weekend — Fremantle host the Sydney Swans in a top of the table AFL clash on Thursday night, and the Rabbitohs face the Knights in a crucial NRL clash on Saturday afternoon.Episode 20 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.