Matson has named a squad of 37 but is unlikely to see eight players - Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ben and Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock due to their involvement with the All Blacks.
That means the squad is particularly light at lock. The absence of Romano and Whitelock means the inexperienced Joel Everson, Dominic Bird and Luke Katene will have to do the bulk of the work in the second row.
However, Canterbury will get the use of recent All Blacks, hooker Corey Flynn and halfback Andy Ellis, who have not made the national team.
Matson said: "I have worked with all of these players previously in some capacity and I know that every one of them will be a very worthy member of the squad. We are lucky to have a pool of such exceptional rugby talent in Canterbury."
Canterbury ITM Cup squad: Dominic Bird, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Andy Ellis, Joel Everson, Paea Fa'anunu, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Willi Heinz, Luke Katene, Nepo Laulala, Johnny McNichol, Sean Maitland, Nasi Manu, Richie McCaw, Sam Monaghan, Joe Moody, Brendon O'Connor, Andrew Olorenshaw, Patrick Osborne, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Mark Swanepoel, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Telusa Veainu, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
