"It's great to get Canterbury early on because it's a litmus test for us. They're the benchmark so we'll get a great gauge on where we are at.
"I think we've had a good build up. The boys know it's a big challenge against Canterbury but that's why they play, for the big games," said Feeney.
While no debutants have been named in the starting XV, there are four players on the bench that will be hoping for their first Auckland cap.
Auckland team to face Canterbury
1. Sam Prattley (Pakuranga)
2. Tom McCartney (Pakuranga) - captain
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Grammar TEC)
4. Liaki Moli (Manukau Rovers)
5. Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)
6. Joe Edwards (Pakuranga)
7. Sean Polwart (University)
8. Peter Saili (Marist)
9. Junior Poluleuligaga (Papatoetoe)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Ponsonby)
11. Charles Piutau (Pakuranga)
12. Francis Saili (Marist)
13. George Moala (Grammar TEC)
14. Lolagi Visinia (Suburbs)/ Ben Lam (Grammar TEC)
15. Hadleigh Parkes (Grammar TEC)
16. Gafatasi Su'a (Ponsonby)
17. Fraser Armstrong (Pakuranga)
18. Will Lloyd (Marist)
19. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
20. Leon Fukofuka (Marist)/ Wayne Ngaluafe (Ponsonby)
21. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
22. Ben Lam (Grammar TEC)/ Vince Aso (Ponsonby)
-Fraser Armstrong, Will Lloyd, Blake Gibson and Leon Fukofuka set to debut off the bench.
Auckland v Canterbury, AMI Stadium
kick off 4.35pm