It's been a busy week in the sporting world (as in, the World...) - and this weekend it gets even busier.

The international rugby season is about to kick off in the Southern Hemisphere, the third Test between the Blackcaps and England is on, and the NRL rolls into round 12 - we have a funny feeling that we'll be glued to the couch this weekend.

So before we embark on another weekend of sport, here's some of the latest news from the [big] week that's been.

The Irish will be without their young star, Luke Fitzgerald, for the Test against the All Blacks this Saturday. He has failed to recover from an ankle injury, and will hope that he recovers in time for the Test against Australia next weekend. Paddy Wallace will take his place in the midfield, while Geordan Murphy will come onto the bench.

The match in Wellington is yet to sell out which, we guess, reflects the public's attitude toward the All Blacks. The lads will need to put on a show to get back the support of the public - it's time to move on from the World Cup loss, New Zealand...more on that later...

Trent Barrett is making a return to the NRL after a two year stint playing for Wigan in the Super League, signing a two year deal with the Cronulla Sharks. Barrett states the reason for his return is based on his family's interests - his wife is expecting their third child (and with three kids under the age of four, you can't blame him for wanting to be near his family). It's a great signing for the Sharks, who have recently lost Brett Kimorley to the Bulldogs for next year.

Also signing with the Bulldogs for 2009 is Michael Ennis, who's been playing for the Broncos for the past two seasons. The Bulldogs have been working hard at signing new talent for next season - now, if only they can sort out their drama's with Sonny Bill...

The Detroit Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in the best of seven series. The Penguins had a chance to throw Game 6 into overtime, which would have given them a shot at tying up the series. It wasn't meant to be, though, with the puck missing the goal by mere centimeters with only seconds to go...

It's the Red Wings eleventh Stanley Cup victory.

The NBA finals began on Friday when the LA Lakers took on the Boston Celtics, sparking an old rivalry dating back to the 70's and 80's. The only thing missing? Larry Bird and Magic Johnson...

The final score of Game One was 98-88 to the Celtics, and Game Two moves to Los Angeles on Monday.

In tennis news, Dinara Safina will meet Ana Ivanovic in the womens final at the French Open after beating fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova. It's been a fairy tail run for Safina, who beat Maria Sharapova earlier in the tournament. Ivanovic beat Jelena Jankovic in an all-Serbian semi to make her way to the final, and by doing so became the number one womens player in tennis.