All Blacks Chris Jack, Richie McCaw and Aaron Mauger return to the Canterbury rugby team for the first time in this year's NPC on Saturday when they meet Otago at Carisbrook.
Other All Blacks in the side, Leon MacDonald and Greg Somerville, will start in their second and third matches respectively.
No 8 Mose Tuiali'i will miss the local derby due to a week's suspension following a dangerous tackle on Ross Filipo in last week's Ranfurly Shield clash with Wellington.
Halfback Jamie Nutbrown has been picked ahead of the promising Andy Ellis after speculation that Nutbrown's chances of a Super 14 contract next season could be in doubt after Canterbury signed up Bay of Plenty's Kevin Senio this week.
MacDonald will play at first five-eighth instead of Cameron McIntyre, who has been given a break along with try-scoring winger Scott Hamilton.
That has also allowed Fijian Vilimoni Delasau a place in the run-on side.
Johnny Leo'o will be at No 8.
Canterbury: Ben Blair, Vilimoni Delasau, Casey Laulala, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Leon MacDonald, Jamie Nutbrown, Johnny Leo'o, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Kevin O'Neill, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Tone Kopelani, Greg Somerville. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett, Hayden Hopgood, George Naoupu, Andy Ellis, Cameron McIntyre, Scott Hamilton.
- NZPA
All Blacks back for Canterbury
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