Queensland emerged victorious in a pulsating series finale to reclaim the State of Origin shield in a thrilling 22-12 win over New South Wales in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The Maroons looked to be in danger of slipping to a fourth series defeat in the last five in their own backyard, after the Blues handed them a blowout defeat in Perth for Origin II following a narrow win in Sydney in Origin I.

But in one of the modern great deciders in series history, Billy Slater's wounded hosts held on in the final quarter of a bruising encounter to win at Suncorp Stadium in Origin III.

Both teams lost players to injury straight out of the gate, with New South Wales' Cameron Murray and Queensland duo Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins all forced off with head injuries in the first five minutes.

Despite being down two men, the Maroons still struck first through Valentine Holmes' tackle-busting dart out wide in the 12th minute, though the Penrith Panthers half-back combo of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai promptly combined for a Blues response six minutes later

Debutant Jacob Saifiti steamrollered through after repeat sets for the visitors to hand them the lead nine out from the break, but Queensland reduced the deficit to two heading into the interval after Kurt Capewell leapt onto a sublime Harry Grant grubber.

An ill-tempered start to the second half saw Dane Gagai and Matt Burton both sin-binned for a dust-up, before Ben Hunt helped quell a Blues resurgence with a superb 40-20, setting the stage for a chain of repeat sets eventually finished by Kalyn Ponga.

Grant looked to have potentially sealed the deal for the Maroons with a dozen minutes left on the clock, only for the bunker to chalk it off - but when Hunt picked off a last-gasp Cleary chip to go the length of the field with two minutes to go, the release of emotion around Brisbane ensured this would be remembered as one of the all-time series encounters.

Barcelona have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Leeds United to sign Raphinha.

The deal is reportedly worth up to €67million (£56.57m). Raphinha's move is subject to a medical being completed.

Chelsea and Arsenal were both heavily linked with the former Sporting CP attacker, with the Blues striking a deal with Leeds in late June to bring the winger to Stamford Bridge.

However, reports suggested that Raphinha was prioritising a move to Barca, with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta announcing "he wants to come".

 

Xavi's side are contending with well-documented financial issues, with Laporta revealing new signings Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen could only be registered after salary adjustments. 

But Barca have seemingly made further alterations to secure the services of Raphinha, who is set to sign a five-year deal.

Raphinha scored 11 times in the Premier League for Leeds in his last season, after netting six goals in the 2020-21 season following his arrival from Rennes.

That marked his best return in front of goal since he struck 15 times in the 2017-18 campaign Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes.

Indeed, since making his Leeds debut, he has directly contributed to 29 Premier League goals, scoring 17 times and managing 12 assists, at least five more than any team-mates in the period.

Xavi will hope Raphinha can continue his scoring form when Barca open their LaLiga campaign at home to Rayo Vallecano on August 13.

Daniel Ricciardo has rubbished rumours that he is planning to retire, adding that he is committed to McLaren until the end of the 2024 season.

Former Red Bull and Renault driver Ricciardo signed for McLaren ahead of the 2021 season, but the Australian has struggled to find his best form for the team.

He claimed one race win last season - at the Italian Grand Prix - marking his first F1 triumph since the Monaco Grand Prix in 2018.

That was Ricciardo's only podium finish of 2021, however, and the 33-year-old has failed to finish in the top three at all so far this season, with his best finish, sixth, coming at home in the Australian Grand Prix.

Speculation has mounted that Ricciardo would soon announce his decision to quit F1, but he has insisted that is not the case.

"There have been a lot of rumours around my future in Formula One, but I want you to hear it from me," Ricciardo, who finished ninth in last week's Austrian Grand Prix, posted on his social media channels.

"I am committed to McLaren until the end of next year and [I] am not walking away from the sport. Appreciate it hasn't always been easy, but who wants easy!

"I'm working my a** off with the team to make improvements and get the car right and back to the front where it belongs. I still want this more than ever. See you in Le Castellet."

Ricciardo is 12th in the drivers' standings, having collected just 17 points in 2022, with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in seventh place.

Raphael Varane says Manchester United must "improve in everything" in a new era under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils struggled again last season, failing to qualify for the Champions League or win a trophy.

Ten Hag was lured from Ajax as the permanent successor to interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who stepped in following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking last November.

The Dutchman's reign got off to a winning start during their pre-season tour on Tuesday, hammering Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok.

Varane says United must improve in all areas in order to become a force once again.

"We know exactly how we want to play," Varane told Sky Sports. "The manager explained very well what we have to do and it's absolutely clear.

"So we know we have to be very fit because it's a very physical way to play. This is just the start of the pre-season so it's just the beginning, but we know exactly where we want to go.

"I think we know exactly what we have to do - we have to improve in everything.

"We have ambition for this season but also, most important, we have to work with humility. I think it's the most important."

Varane was hampered by injuries during his first campaign at Old Trafford, with a lack of a consistent centre-back partnership an issue as Harry Maguire came under fire.

The France defender hopes he can complete uninterrupted preparations for his second term, with the World Cup in Qatar also on the horizon.

"Personally, it's an opportunity for me to have a real pre-season, to get fit and to be ready because it'll be a very long season with a lot of games and high intensity," he said.

"I will try to be ready and to be fit, and obviously I'm very excited for this season coming and I'm very happy to be with Manchester and in this great club. We will try to win some trophies."

Dan McKellar says Australia must avoid getting "sucked into" England's "niggle" when they do battle in the decisive Test at the SCG on Saturday.

The Red Rose levelled the three-match series with a 25-17 victory at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.

Eddie Jones' men came out firing as they stepped up the physicality in Brisbane to bring Australia back down to earth.

Assistant coach McKellar says the Wallabies must keep their discipline if England attempt to get under their skins again with the series on the line.

"It's pretty pointless these days isn’t it?" he said. "You go rushing in and [you're] third man in and you're on the receiving end of a yellow card.

"It all comes down to emotional control and making sure you're not getting sucked into those sort of tactics.

"The officials will be world-class on Saturday and it's their job to look after.

"It's not something we plan or put tactics to in this environment. We have much more important things to worry about that'll go a fair way towards deciding a Test match than a little niggle."

Australia are waiting to learn the extent of a knee injury suffered by Cadeyrn Neville, while they will have to do without Darcy Swain (suspension), Izack Rodda (foot), Jed Holloway (calf) and Ned Hanigan (knee).

McKellar says they must show their strength in depth.

"I think what makes it seamless is the preparation we've done over the past three-four weeks and understanding whoever's playing will be involved heavily in preparation over that period of time," he added.

"You can't be throwing your eggs in one basket thinking they'll get through a series. The game is played at an incredibly high intensity these days, very physical, and sadly we've seen a fair few injuries.

"We've been unlucky in that area and every now and again you get clusters in a position, you just have to make sure your whole squad is prepared and ready to step up if required."

Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts says playing rugby has been "the best job in the world" and he intends to remain with the sport after announcing his retirement at 35.

The ex-Cardiff Blues back, who has enjoyed a prolific club and international career that saw him play his domestic trade in five countries and win 94 caps for his nation, finishes his time after a brief stint with the Waratahs.

Roberts, who also won three caps for the British and Irish Lions, says he plans to stay in the game after hanging up his boots, and has spoken of the honour he has enjoyed to be able to live out his career.

"There's no doubt I'll stay with the sport past retirement," he said. "Whilst I figure everything out, that'll be predominantly in a broadcasting capacity.

"My experiences in the game have indeed taken me to immeasurable highs as well as desperate lows, eliciting every emotion possible along the way. Above all, the game has provided a sense of belonging, friendship and healthy competition.

"I'll miss the changing room, the matchday buzz and the aches and pains. I guess most of all I'll miss the lads.

"I've had the privilege of playing alongside and against many of the modern day greats; not just great players but great men. To all those I've been fortunate to share the field with, it was a pleasure.

"For a short while, we have the best job in the world. Never forget it."

Roberts made his debut for Wales in 2008, in a Six Nations win over Scotland on the wing, and retires as the joint-eighth most-capped man in the country's history.

He featured in their 2011 and 2015 World Cup campaigns - helping them to fourth in the former - and was a member of two separate Lions tours, to South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013.

"Representing my country was always a childhood dream, I'm fortunate it became reality," said Roberts. "It meant the world to me and forever will.

"I'll also never forget the immense pride of captaining my country. Singing the anthem had the same impact whether at home in Cardiff, away at some of the most iconic stadiums in World rugby, or during two Rugby World Cups.

"I'll remember fondly reaching the pinnacle of representative rugby and touring twice with the Lions. The joys and despair I experienced on both tours amounted to nothing short of experiences of a lifetime."

The Open Championship boasts a history practically unmatched in the sporting world, with the famous St Andrews primed to host the 150th edition of golf's oldest major this week.

As the world's best players prepare to tee it up at the home of golf, all in the field will be hoping to write their names into the pages of this storied event.

Ahead of what promises to be a thrilling week of action on the east coast of Scotland, Stats Perform has delved into the history books to bring you the most intriguing facts and figures surrounding the most historic of golf's majors.

HARD LUCK JACK AND HAPPY HARRY

Nobody boasts more Open triumphs than the six claimed by the legendary Harry Vardon, who first prevailed in 1896 and last lifted the Claret Jug in 1914.

But for every winner there are those who nurse the heartbreak of narrowly missing out, and nobody became more familiar with that feeling than Jack Nicklaus.

With 18 major wins to his name, including three at The Open, it might be a stretch to summon too much sympathy for Nicklaus, but he had to make do with finishing second or in a tie for second on no fewer than seven occasions. 

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...

When Collin Morikawa won at Royal St George's last year, he became the 10th player to taste success on debut.

That tells you that most players have to be patient when it comes to laying hands on the famous silverware, and for some that wait never ends.

But there are those for whom persistence has paid off handsomely – namely Darren Clarke and Phil Mickelson, who both finally triumphed at the 19th time of asking.

 

WIRE-TO-WIRE WINS ARE RARE

Only seven players have enjoyed wire-to-wire victories at a 72-hole Open, whereby they have held the outright lead at the end of all four rounds.

Rory McIlroy was the most recent example, achieving the feat at Royal Liverpool in 2014.

The last player to manage it at St Andrews was a certain Tiger Woods in 2005 – the second of his three Open wins as he retained his title the following year.

START FAST, FINISH STRONG

In 2010, St Andrews was the stage for the lowest opening round by an eventual winner as Louis Oosthuizen flew out of the traps with a 65.

Jordan Spieth equalled that with his first-round effort at Royal Birkdale in 2017, which was the year after Henrik Stenson had showed the importance of finishing with a flourish when his closing 63 saw off the challenge of Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon.

It also helps if your middle two rounds are solid, but very few players manage to put together four consistent sets of 18. Indeed, Woods is the only player to card four sub-70 rounds at St Andrews, doing so en route to his 2005 victory.

DON'T THROW IT AWAY NOW!

There is arguably no other sport that tests the psychological limits of its protagonists more than golf, which has seen more than its fair share of mental meltdowns.

Many will be familiar with the nightmare story of Jean Van de Velde's Open collapse in 1999 when he below a five-stroke lead after 54 holes – his hopes left to drown in Carnoustie's Barry Burn.

But that is not the biggest lead surrendered at The Open, with that dubious honour still belonging to Abe Mitchell, who led by six after two rounds in 1920 but ended up four adrift of champion George Duncan.

Everything has led to this.

That is the slogan for this year's Open Championship, with golf's oldest major celebrating its 150th edition this week.

Delayed a year by the COVID-19 outbreak, which forced the postponement of the 2020 tournament at Royal St George's – the first time since 1945 that the Open had not been played – this proud old competition will bring up its landmark at St Andrews, the home of golf.

Even against the backdrop of the LIV Golf furore, nothing can detract from the grandeur of an Open Championship at this famous links course.

The Saudi-backed breakaway tour has of course been a recurring topic here on Scotland's east coast this week, but the truly enlivening subject – the one which has prompted the most passionate discussion – has been the Open itself; its history, its prestige, its status as an iconic event that transcends the sport itself.

And that sense of occasion is heightened by The Open's homecoming to the handsome Old Course – the oldest in the world – which clings to the Fife Coast still now, 470 years after being established there.

It may be considered good form for players to speak kindly of any host venue, but none has ever drawn such glowing praise as this storied links, which is staging The Open for the 30th time – more than any other venue on the rotation. 

 

Those who have had the honour of playing here many times before and those who are set to embrace the St Andrews experience for the first time are united in their excitement for what is in store.

Reigning champion Collin Morikawa, whose maiden Open appearance ended in glory down in Kent last year, experienced the golfing equivalent of love at first sight when he pitched up at the Fife track.

"I love it. I can see why guys love it. I can see how special this week can be. I can see how the course can play a million different ways, depending on the weather," he breathlessly declared.

Rory McIlroy, deprived by injury of defending his title when the tournament was last played here in 2015, described winning The Open at St Andrews as "the holy grail" of golf, and all the ingredients are there for another memorable edition this time around.

The course has been basking in sunshine all week and attendees will continue to enjoy fine weather for the remainder of it, while the course set-up in general means a star-studded field will fancy their chances of carding some low-scoring rounds.

Monday's Celebration of Champions event, which saw the likes of McIlroy and Jordan Spieth entertain sizeable crowds alongside all-time greats such as Gary Player and Tom Watson, also welcomed Tiger Woods back to the course where he lifted the Claret Jug in 2000 and 2005.

His presence always adds another level of intrigue, ensuring grandstands are full and even casual observers have a familiar name to lure them in to the spectacle of it all. The man himself said "this does feel like it's the biggest Open Championship we've ever had".

Woods is one legendary name to adorn the pages of The Open's illustrious history book, and whoever lifts the Claret Jug at the 150th championship at St Andrews will join the 15-time major winner in achieving a kind of sporting immortality.

Everything has indeed led to this.

Chris Sale starred on his return following a nine-month layoff for the Boston Red Sox, fanning five across five scoreless innings in their 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Seven-time All-Star Sale had not played since last season after sustaining a stress fracture in his right rib cage in February.

Sale appeared physically stronger on his return, having also had Tommy John surgery in August last year, and displayed that on the mound, allowing only three hits while walking one with five strikeouts.

The lanky left-hander tossed down 78 pitches across the five innings, averaging 95.1 mph, maxing out at 96.9 mph.

"I'm not broken anymore," Sale said after the game. "It’s different this year. It’s definitely different this year. That’s all I’ve really got to say."

Sale's return could not inspire the Red Sox to victory, slumping to their 10th defeat from their past 15, fluffing a 2-0 lead with a sixth-inning defensive mishap and an ensuing base-running blunder.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said: "He threw the ball well and finished well. Did an outstanding job toward the end, had good velocity and command of the pitches were OK. Delivery was under control, and he gave us five innings, so that's a good start."

Orioles maintain remarkable win streak

The Baltimore Orioles extended their win streak to nine games with a come-from-behind 4-2 triumph over the Chicago Cubs.

Trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, Ramos Urias hit a two-run home run to put the O's ahead, with Jorge Mateo's solo blast in the seventh inning adding an insurance run.

Baltimore's run is their first single-season win streak of nine or more games since winning 13 in a row in 1999 and lifts them to a 44-44 record in the competitive American League East.

Miggy steals his way home

Veteran designated hitter Miguel Cabrera managed a rare stolen base as he scored in the Detroit Tigers won 7-5 over the Kansas City Royals to end their four-game losing run.

The 39-year-old's game included a game-tying sacrifice fly, a go-ahead ground ball and the stolen base to get home at the top of the seventh inning to put the Tigers up 5-3.

Cabrera took off for third base from second when Jose Cuas unleashed a wild pitch, but Royals catcher MJ Melendez's throw sailed wide too, allowing the veteran to keep going all the way for home. It marked Cabrera's first stolen base since 2020.

Pat Connaughton is set to extend his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, on the verge of finalising a three-year, $30 million contract extension, sources confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday.

Connaughton already helped the Milwaukee Bucks win one NBA title and will now have a few more chances to add another, in a move that will keep the 6-foot-5 swingman with Milwaukee until the 2025-26 season.

The 29-year-old had the best season of his seven-year career in 2021-22, averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 26 minutes per game in 65 appearances. He also shot 39.5 per cent from three-point range and ranked third on the team with a personal-best 146 triples for the season.

A key piece during the Bucks’ NBA championship run in 2021, Connaughton’s emergence last season was one reason why the team felt comfortable trading Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings at the trade deadline.

Connaughton put off free agency by opting into the final year of his current contract last month. He was eligible to sign an extension for up to four years and approximately $59million after opting in.

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout has exited his side's game against the Houston Astros due to upper back spasms.

Trout was forced out in the fifth inning, having gone zero-for-two with two strikeouts.

The three-time American League MVP, who has been named as a starting outfielder for Friday's All-Star Game, has struggled during July, with only one home run and four RBIs in 10 games, batting at .167/.231/.250.

The Angels have slumped to a 38-49 record, after a run of eight losses in their past 10 games.

Across the season, Trout has 24 home runs and 51 RBIs from 79 games, but the Angels have missed infielder Matt Duffy and third baseman Anthony Rendon due to injuries more recently.

Branko Ivankovic insists he is not willing to take over as Iran's national team coach at the World Cup, as well as claiming he has had nothing to do with Dragan Skocic's reported dismissal.

Iran's state news agency IRNA reported Skocic was sacked on Monday, despite Iran winning 15 of their 18 games during his tenure, after taking over from Marc Wilmots in February 2020.

Although Skocic reportedly met with the Iranian FA's board and has not officially been dismissed, reports also suggest his sacking is imminent.

Team Melli topped their World Cup qualification group ahead of South Korea to book an automatic place in Qatar, losing their only game of the AFC's third round of qualifying in the final international window, once qualification had already been secured.

Ivankovic, who is still contracted to coach Oman and is one of five Croatians to have been Iran's national team boss, asserted he would feel "awkward" replacing his compatriot.

"I'm very embarrassed. Iranian journalists have been calling me all day, it's very awkward that they put me in that context, because it seems like I'm tearing down Skocic," he told Sportske novosti.

"You know what kind of status I have in Iran. Whenever there is a story about the new coach, they mention me and Carlos Queiroz. However, nobody from the Iranian federation talked to me, and Oman extended my contract until 2024.

"In order to accept such a job, a lot of things would have to be solved, these are not easy decisions, and it is especially inconvenient for me that I would have to replace Skocic. But I'm not working behind his back. I had nothing to do with his eventual dismissal."

Ivankovic is a known quantity in Iran, leading the national team to the 2006 World Cup as well as taking Persepolis FC to their first AFC Champions League final in 2018, before eventually losing to Kashima Antlers.

Team Melli received one of the lighter groups for AFC teams in Qatar, meanwhile, after being drawn with England, Wales and the United States.

LeBron James has criticised the United States government for its handling of WNBA star Brittney Griner's imprisonment in Russia. 

James addressed the issue in a trailer for his online talk show, "The Shop: Uninterrupted."

"Now, how can she feel like America has her back?" the Los Angeles Lakers forward said. "I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

The episode will air in its entirety Friday on YouTube.

Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17 for carrying vape cartridges that allegedly contained cannabis products. 

Last week, Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard referenced James in her plea for officials to act more quickly. 

"If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right?" Nygaard said. "It's a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of a Black person. It's a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that's what hurts a little more."

The sports community has continued to advocate for Griner's return to the U.S. over the last five months, but she remains in Russian custody while the war in Ukraine continues to cause tension between Washington and Moscow.

The WNBA held its All-Star Game Sunday in Chicago, with Griner’s detention receiving plenty of attention. Players on both teams wore Griner’s No. 42 and name on their jerseys during the second half.

In recent weeks, both Griner and her wife Cherelle have had correspondence with President Joe Biden, but the administration has not publicly declared a plan for her return. 

Griner entered a guilty plea last Thursday in Russian court, saying she packed the cartridges accidentally. ESPN reported over the weekend that Griner’s plea could be part of a strategy to facilitate a prisoner exchange that could also include former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who is also being detained in Russia. 

In June, the U.S. State Department classified Griner as being wrongfully detained. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated that returning the prisoners to the U.S. remains a priority.

"We will not relent until Brittney, Paul Whelan and all other wrongfully detained Americans are reunited with their loved ones," Blinken said on Twitter last week. 

Antonio Conte insisted Son Heung-min is underrated and can play in "every team" in the world, as Tottenham commenced their pre-season.

Spurs have travelled to Son's home country of South Korea, where they will face a select XI from the K-League on Wednesday, before coming up against Sevilla on Saturday.

The 30-year-old notched up 24 goals and 10 assists in 45 games across all competitions last season, and he particularly blossomed after Antonio Conte took over in November 2021, contributing to 26 of those goals in the Premier League alone.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's pre-season opener against the K-League XI, Conte believes Son is a world-class player who does not receive due praise.

"I can say only positive things, because we are talking about a world-class player," Conte said. "One of the best players, I think that maybe many people underrate him.

"I think Sonny can play in every team in the world."

It has been a busy off-season transfer window for Spurs, once Conte confirmed he would stay on with the club in May, signing Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Clement Lenglet.

As well as commencing what has been a gruelling opening to pre-season for Spurs players, the 52-year-old asserted it was a "simple" decision to stay on after speaking with Tottenham's hierarchy, given he was committed to build a competitive project.

"I always said at the end of the season, it was very important for me and the club to speak and make a decision, especially for the club, not for myself," Conte said.

"It was simple to continue this project because, first of all, I have another year of contract with the club and I was totally involved in this project.

"I think we have just started the project with the club. You know very well what my ambitions are and I want the club to continue to improve."

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