Offtopic/fun » Martinez, 25, appeared in 27 games

New Zealand will continue to oppose the wishes of Australia and South Africa and lobby to revamp the Super Rugby playoffs.However, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew agrees the under-fire competition must expand further to remain commercially viable.The release of the draw this week attracted widespread criticism that the 18-team Super Rugby structure has become bloated and unwieldy.A complex conference-based format has been retained, along with a finals system in which home advantage can be awarded to teams who earn less overall points than their opponents.That was the case for two New Zealand teams this year, prompting a push for change from Kiwi bosses, including Tew, at a meeting in Sydney last week.Their desire is for the playoffs to be based purely on the overall standings, with home advantage commensurate with final placings.It is disappointing that we couldnt get agreement from South Africa and Australia, he said.We havent completely given up. Well keep plugging away because we think it makes a lot more sense for there to be a straight top eight, it makes it a lot easier for the fans who can disregard the conferences.Tew says his Australian and South African counterparts believed it was an aberration that four Kiwi teams qualified for the playoffs this year and that such a scenario is unlikely to repeat.Youve got to have agreement at SANZAAR. Thats the beauty of a joint venture, Tew said.There was, however, a consensus that the competition needs to further expand its boundaries.Having added teams from Argentina and Japan this year, there is a strong suggestion North America will be in SANZAARs sights when the current contract expires in 2020.Tew says offshore offers to top New Zealand players is out-stripping previous sums.South Africa is suffering particularly from a player drain while Australia and New Zealand are also coming under relentless pressure to fend off the lure of big-money European offers.We know if we sit still, well get taken over by whats going on in Europe and in particular in France, Tew said.Weve got to keep growing our commercial base and inevitably thats going to have to be outside the existing markets.Its not for expansions sake. Its because it continues to grow value for the now four members (including Argentina) of SANZAAR.Jeff Bagwell Jersey . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Josh James Astros Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.cheapastros.com/2043o-jack-mayfield-jersey-astros.html . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Jim Bouton Astros Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Zack Greinke Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula.The Los Angeles Kings have avoided arbitration with defenceman Alec Martinez. The two sides have agreed to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $1.1 million. Martinez, 25, appeared in 27 games with the Kings in 2012-13, registering one goal and four assists. He was originaally selected by the Kings in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.dddddddddddd In 142 career games with the Kings Martinez has scored 12 goals and 21 assists. Martinez played the last year of a two-year deal worth a total of $1.45 million in 2012-13. ' ' '