Over the course of the next five days, we will be reviewing the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises for the upcoming 2009 season. Last Friday the squads were announced, and we will be looking at who's in, and who didn't make the cut.

We're starting off with the Otago Highlanders, who have been struggling for the past few seasons - mainly due to the fact that they haven't been able to keep the same squad together for any long period of time.

We said earlier in the year that if the Highlanders were to stand any chance of improving on their poor 2008 season they needed to keep the same squad together in order for them to grow as a team.

Well, the great news for Otago fans is that they've finally been able to do that (minus one or two players), and all the draft players from last year have returned to the deep south.

We certainly don't think they'll go on to win the title (although Israel will be hoping they can...), but by keeping the bulk of 2008's squad they can certainly improve, and will be able to surprise a few sides.

They will be most improved in the back line, where they have secured the services of some good talent. Most importantly, Fetu'u Vainikolo has returned to Otago, which gives them some flair out wide and a genuine try-scoring machine. Added to the mix are Jason Shoemark and Jayden Hayward, both of whom have been outstanding in the Air New Zealand Cup. Israel Dagg is also coming south, and will replace Paul Williams, who is returning to the Blues. That's four exciting players, and should be the answer to Otago's lack of try-scoring talent in recent years.

Their forwards will continue to be a handful for the other sides in the competition. Although they're not full of 'superstars', they're very good at the set pieces, and will be led well from the likes of Jaime Mackintosh, Adam Thomson and Tom Donnelly. The loss of Craig Newby is pretty big, as is the loss of Hoani MacDonald, but they have enough talent to move on.

The only concern with the squad is that rookie winger Karne Hesketh has not been selected. He was undoubtedly their best player in the Air New Zealand Cup, and the top try scorer with seven. Why on earth you'd leave him out is beyond us - apparently it has something to do with his lack of genuine pace, but when you can break tackles like he can who needs pace? He must feel more than slightly aggrieved that he's missed out, while Lucky Mulipola has made it after a poor season.

It's a real shame that one of the other teams didn't pick him up in the draft, because he really is a great player.

For the Highlanders to succeed in 2009 they have to start winning at home, and return to the days where the House of Pain meant just that - no one could beat them. Now-a-days, it's more of a House of Pain for Otago fans. If they can start winning at home, they will be able to make a strong push for the semi-finals, especially as they have always been good playing in South Africa. It's a long road ahead, but they are finally able to grow as a team - and that could mean that success is just around the corner.

Here's the full squad:

Jaime Mackintosh (Southland), Clint Newland (Otago), Chris King (Otago), Anthony Perenise (Wellington, draft), David Hall (Souhtland), Jason Rutledge (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Otago), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Josh Bekhuis (Otago), Ross Kennedy (Otago), Adam Thomson (Otago), Tim Boys (Souhtland), Aland Soakai (Otago), Steven Setephano (Otago), George Naoupo (Hawkes Bay, draft), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Sean Romans (Otago), Daniel Bowden (Otago), Matt Berquist (Hawkes Bay, draft), Jason Shoemark (Hawkes Bay, draft), Jayden Hayward (Taranaki), Johnny Leota (Otago), Kendrick Lynn (Southland), Brett Mather (Otago), Lucy Mulipola (Otag), Fetu'u Vainikola (Otago), Ben Smith (Otago), Israel Dagg (Hawkes Bay,draft).