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).

The All Blacks had to fight hard to beat the Wallabies in Hong Kong on Saturday night, coming back from being 14-6 down to win 19-14 - in what really was a game of two halves.

The Aussies were definitely the better of the two sides in the first half, and didn't look to be affected by the long period off between Tests, whereas the All Blacks started off in less than ideal fashion.

The handling was poor, and there didn't seem to be any cohesion between the players - which seems strange, seeing that most of the players had some game time during the Air New Zealand Cup. The Aussies, on the other hand, were attacking out wide and making inroads against the All Black defensive line - which led to two trys, both scored by Drew Mitchell.

The only thing keeping the All Blacks in the game was the Wallabies poor discipline, which gave Dan Carter three penalty's to bring the score to 14-9 at half time.

However, the first half only got worse for the All Blacks as Andrew Hore went off injured with an ankle injury, forcing him out of the rest of the tour - he'll be replaced by Hika Elliot. This is a huge loss for the All Blacks, as Hore has started in every Test this year, and was putting a big gap between himself and the other hookers.

It's just fortunate that we have a handy backup in Kevin Mealamu - although his lineout throwing can be suspect at times.

The All Blacks got down to business in the second half, and started to play some enterprising rugby, which led to their first try scored by Sivivatu. Their passes started to stick, and they soon began to find holes in the Wallaby line.

Sivivatu had a hand in the second try, too, setting up Richie McCaw to give the All Blacks a 19-14 lead, which they would hold onto for the rest of the game.

The combination of Stephen Donald and Dan Carter did not work as well as it did in Brisbane, and for the first half it basically kept Carter out of the action. Donald was replaced by Ma'a Nonu in the second half, and Carter was back in the number 10 jersey (where he belongs). If they are to try this combination again, they have to put Donald at second five, leaving Carter to weave his magic at number 10.

Isaia Toeava had one of his best games for the All Blacks, and is starting to look more settled at Test level. He made some fantastic runs, including one where he broke through about five or six tackles. It's finally starting to look like Henry's persistence with Toeava is paying off.

The Wallabies will be disappointed that they couldn't push on in the second half, but they have nothing to blame but their own poor discipline. They were very lucky no one was sin binned, because there were times that someone should have been.

The All Blacks now head to Scotland, where they should have no trouble in maintaining their unbeaten run against the Scots. They have four Tests in four weeks, plus the midweek game against Munster - but for this squad that workload should be no issue.

As for the Test in Hong Kong, we think it was a complete success. They basically filled the stadium (there were only 300 seats left), and the players all seemed to enjoy mixing with the locals and helping to spread the game to Asia. Based on this game, there should be no reason why more Tests can't be played in Hong Kong.

Given that we looked at the top 10 best Test batsmen last week, we thought it would only be right that we look at the top 10 best Test bowlers this week.

Once again, this list speaks for itself - you only have to look at their stats to see why they make the list.

Here we go:

10.
Dennis Lillee (Australia): 70 Tests, 355 wickets, 23.92 average, best figures - 7/83

Lillee set the standard for quick bowlers during the 1970s with his extreme pace and fiery attitude. His career looked to be over when he suffered from a stress fracture to his back, but he fought his way back and continued where he left off. His partnership with Jeff Thomson, another Aussie pace man, was one of the most devastating pace attack during the 70s. Lillee held the World Record for Test wickets (355) when he retired in 1984.


9.
Waqar Younis (Pakistan): 86 Tests, 373 wickets, 23.56 average, best figures - 7/76

The master of reverse swing. Younis was known for his extreme pace and his ability to get reverse swing, which became a lethal weapon for Younis - as did his in-swinging yorker. Like Lillee and Thomson, Younis developed an extremely dangerous bowling partnership with fellow pace man, Wasim Akram, and the two consistently ripped through some of the best batting lineups.


8.
Malcolm Marshall (West Indies): 81 Tests, 376 wickets, 20.94 average, best figures - 7/22

Marshall is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, and his average of 20.94 is the best of anyone who has taken over 200 Test wickets. Unlike most fast bowlers, Marshall was considered short - especially when you look at the other great West Indian pace men. Regardless of his height, though, Marshall was very quick - and indeed, very dangerous.


7.
Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand): 86 Tests, 431 wickets, 22.29 average, best figures - 9/52

Finally, a New Zealander worthy of making a cricketing list. The first player to surpass 400 Test wickets, and he held the World Record at the time. Hadlee was a master of bowling, and a very handy batter as well - making him one of the greatest all-rounders to play the game. He slowed his action as he got older, and became a lethal swing bowler to counter the lack of pace. Makes New Zealanders proud to have someone who could challenge the best of all time...


6.
Curtly Ambrose (West Indies): 98 Tests, 405 wickets, 20.99 average, best figures - 8/45

Following in the veins of the great West Indian pacemen who came before him, Ambrose became one of the great pace bowlers of the 1990s. Like all great fast bowlers, Ambrose worked in tandem with Courtney Walsh, as the two become synonymous with wicket taking. His average is second only to Malcolm Marshall's.


5.
Wasim Akram (Pakistan): 104 Tests, 414 wickets, 23.62 average, best figures - 7/119

Like Waqar Younis, Akram became a master of reverse swing, and when combined with his pace he became a lethal opening bowler. There was nothing more devastating for a New Zealand cricket fan than watching Akram and Younis rip through our batting lineup - which they did with what seemed like ease. Akram was also a handy lower order batsmen, and an even more devastating one day bowler (he holds the record with 502 ODI wickets).


4.
Courtney Walsh (West Indies): 132 Tests, 519 wickets, 24.44 average, best figures - 7/37

Walsh became the first bowler in the history of cricket to surpass 500 Test wickets, something only four other bowlers have done since (Warne, Muralitharan, McGrath and Kumble). He held the world record for wickets until taken over by Warne. Walsh may not have been the best batter (the only guy that could be considered worse is Chris Martin...), but he sure made up for it with his bowling.


3.
Glenn McGrath (Australia): 124 Tests, 563 wickets, 21.64 average, best figures - 8/24

Anyone who's best figures are 8/24 has got to be doing something right. McGrath became best known for his ability to get his line and length spot on, time after time. He wasn't the fastest bowler by any means, but he used his skills incredibly well, and in doing so became just as lethal with line and length as the pace men did with speed. Australia will struggle to replace him in the years to come.


2.
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka): 123 Tests, 756 wickets, 21.96 average, best figures - 9/51

Murali is the highest wicket taker of all time, with his incredible haul of 756 - and counting. However, much of his career has been tarnished with allegations of chucking - something that we think drops him from the number one spot. He is an extremely talented spinner, but we can't shake the fact that we feel he chucks (we almost left him off the list all together...). In the end, we decided to put him at number two - because of the fact that he hasn't actually been banned.


1.
Shane Warne (Australia): 145 Tests, 708 wickets, 25.41 average, best figures - 8/71

The absolute master of spin. Love him or hate him, you can't argue with his ability - and he doesn't chuck. Warne re-invented spin bowling, and brought it back at a time when pace bowling dominated the game. He may have had a few problems off the pitch (OK, a lot of problems off the pitch), but when he was playing he was one of the most competitive players ever - and he could turn a game with just one delivery. Just watch the clips below, and you'll see why he is considered the greatest bowler of all time - at least, in our minds.