KEY POINTS:
The shadow-boxing is over. Auckland coach Pat Lam has named his strongest line-up for tomorrow night's Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch.
"For this game it is, definitely," Lam said.
"There is a lot riding on the game. We had to pick on form. There are some guys who've
come back from injuries but who just haven't had enough time to get back in there."
Isa Nacewa has been restored to the first five-eighths jersey, which he last wore in round five against Taranaki. Both back-up options, Lachie Munro and Tasesa Lavea, have been included on the bench.
"Isa has played pretty much every game and Tasesa is probably just a game short," Lam said.
"Lachie is still developing, but all three of them will be involved [on Saturday]."
Lam did his best to downplay the magnitude of the match but, with the Shield and home advantage for a possible rematch in the final in three weeks' time up for grabs, he had his work cut out.
"I think everyone understands the significance of the game but for us it is just another game. We just need to make sure that we go down there understanding what the gameplan is and what everyone's role is.
"Obviously there is a big prize at the end of it, but we need to focus on our job."
Lam doubted there would be a repeat of last Friday's lacklustre effort against Otago.
"It wasn't one of our better games but motivation and attitude in training this week hasn't been an issue."
Auckland haven't beaten Canterbury since lifting the Shield in 2004 but Lam wasn't bothered by that unimpressive recent history.
"We don't talk about records at all. What we talk about is our performance this week and making it very clear what we have to do. History just tells us where we've got to, the future is about today."
Captain Sam Tuitupou, a veteran of the successful 2004 challenge, is to make his 50th Auckland appearance.
"If you can't be at the World Cup then this is the game you want to be playing in," he said.
Canterbury's England-bound flanker Johnny Leo'o has been ruled out of the match with a rib injury.
He has been replaced by Hayden Hopgood.
Leo'o's loss has been offset by the return from injury of former All Blacks Casey Laulala and Kevin Senio, who missed last week's 21-14 victory over Tasman in Blenheim. Laulala bruised a calf during the 20-13 win over Taranaki on September 13, while Senio was sidelined after the successful Shield defence against Hawkes Bay in round seven.
Laulala's availability sees Rico Gear return to the wing. Steven Yates drops to the bench.