The week in sport – in pictures

Not only is the Rugby World Cup going on in NZ there's sheep racing too. Competitors in the race were called Sonny Baa Wooliams, Ben Shanks, Mils Woolethyena and Baarad Smith. The racing was organised to raise funds for a local school in a rural farming community Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Ana Ivanovic returns a shot to Agnieszka Radwanska at the China Open in Beijing. The former grand slam winner had to retire due to a back problem in the second set but said she was happy with her performance during the tournament: 'This week is probably the best I've played in years,' she said. 'The things I've been working on came together in the match. It's very inspiring. I will try to focus on the next couple of tournaments and have a good ending this year.' Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images

St Louis Cardinals's Allen Craig ducks away from an inside pitch thrown by the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vance Worley during game two of their MLB National League playoffs Photograph: Tim Shaffer/Reuters

Carolina Hurricanes' Bryan Allen is introduced during their NHL opening night game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Photograph: Gerry Broome/AP

It's all bit too much for this lad on mascot duty ahead of the Czech Republic's home Euro 2012 qualifying match against Spain Photograph: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

Denmark's Mia Furu performs on the beam in qualification at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo Photograph: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Hey you, yes you in the middle of the top row, and you on the left on the next row down and you on the right of the bottom row – pay attention to the Guatemalan gymnast on the beam. She's put in a lot of practice for this and the least you can do is pay attention! Photograph: Koji Sasahara/AP

They say a week is a long time in politics, but it's not the case with facial hair. On the left is a dejected Marc Lièvremont following France's 14-19 defeat to Tonga and on the right a now moustachioed French coach smiles after his team's victory over England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final Photograph: Getty Images

… and here are members of the French media sporting moustaches in support of their national team coach Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gives it some during practice in Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Brazil's Nelson Silva Junior competes in a men's 100m backstroke heat during the Fina Swimming World Cup Photograph: Marwan Naamani/AFP/Getty Images

Where'd it go? New York Yankees' Nick Swisher, and the fans, have trouble seeing where Don Kelly's homer ends up in the match against the Detroit Tigers Photograph: Kathy Willens/AP

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel wears a specially designed helmet with a Bond of Friendship motif as he prepares to drive ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

The signatures of the Ireland players take pride of place on the Irish fans' van outside the team hotel in Wellington Photograph: David Davies/PA