Heavyweights at full strength for Shield challenge

Auckland reported a full roster and Canterbury almost the same in the run up to the season's final Ranfurly Shield challenge on Saturday.

Loose forward Jerome Kaino showed he had recovered from his damaged hamstring at Auckland training yesterday to give coach Pat Lam even more options for his final selection.

All Black first five-eighths Daniel Carter came through another session to convince the Canterbury staff he was ready to resume after breaking his left leg during the Tri-Nations.

He started contact work last week and yesterday ran strongly and said he was ready if wanted.

Carter's recovery is timely because Cameron McIntyre is missing with ankle trouble and Leon MacDonald is nursing a tender knee.

However MacDonald, Tone Kopelani and Mose Tuiali'i are all expected to be available after their injuries and suspensions.

"It is great that everyone is just about right because matches like this deserve to have all the good players involved," said Lam.

"Picking the Auckland side will be interesting because everyone has been playing well. But it has been the same most weeks and we have to sit down and pick the best 22 for this game.

"Shane [Howarth] and I go through the same routine each week ... we use the same system and debate each person."

Auckland reintroduced All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu from the bench in the last round but there is no guarantee they will start this week because of the form of Brent Ward and Derren Witcombe.

The selectors also have a logjam of choices in the back five with the versatility of players such as Bradley Mika, Kaino, Angus Macdonald and Kurtis Haiu.

Lam warned that Canterbury would bounce back after their last round defeat to Otago just as his team had responded to their solitary defeat to Taranaki.

"Otago have not done us any favours," Lam said. "Canterbury are sure to play extra well after that game last week."