Wellington, Oct 29 NZPA - Stephen Brett returns from a back injury to the Canterbury starting line-up for the Air NZ Cup and Ranfurly Shield rugby match against Southland at Christchurch on Thursday.

Brett was ruled out of last week's match against Hawke's Bay after an injury in the gym but trained fully yesterday and will be included provided he gets through this morning's training run.

Canterbury's All Blacks tourists Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and Andy Ellis are ruled out of the match.

All except Read (head knock) played in the win over Hawke's Bay.

Props Andrew Olorenshaw and Peter Borlase, hooker Ti'i Paulo, lock James Broadhurst, No 8 Nasi Manu, halfback Tyson Keats, second-five Ryan Crotty and wing Tu Umaga-Marshall all return to the starting line-up for Canterbury.

"We are well aware that Southland will be extremely motivated to win this game," Canterbury coach Rob Penney said.

"The Shield and a semifinal spot are up for grabs to them.

"However, we've prepared well and want to finish our last round-robin match on a high.

"We have every confidence in our younger guys to do the job."

Southland, who will be missing All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowen, will be bidding to win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1959.

Canterbury team:

Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Stephen Brett, Tyson Keats, Nasi Manu, George Whitelock (captain), Michael Paterson, James Broadhurst, Isaac Ross, Peter Borlase, Ti'i Paulo, Andrew Olorenshaw

Reserves: Steve Fualau, Rodney Ah You, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Casey Laulala, James Paterson.