They've lost to Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Otago during the past couple of years when heavy favourites and were nothing short of listless when hammered 38-16 in Wellington by the Lions in round eight of this year's competition.
So Auckland will face the five-time defending champions at AMI Stadium today well aware more of the same will leave them planning trips to the beach rather than gameplans for the finals.
Canterbury have dominated provincial rugby in New Zealand since 2008 and have a stacked squad.
Simon Hickey, who is in his second year with Auckland, said the squad had spoken about ways to improve their efforts away from Eden Park.
"We haven't had a great track record away from home in the last season or two but I think a lot of it's probably about individual preparation," Hickey said.
"So we've put a little bit of focus on that; what guys are doing from when we get down to Canterbury then leading up to game-time. So we've put a bit of an emphasis on that so hopefully it's better this week."
Auckland did a number on Canterbury in week seven of the regular season as they swept to a 39-19 win at Eden Park but Hickey said the side was aware that meeting Canterbury away would be very different.
"We know that Canterbury down in Canterbury are a bloody tough team to beat," Hickey said. "But most of the focus has been on us, to be honest. We think that if we play with the ability we know we can then we are in with a bloody good shot to win. So most of the focus has been on us this week."
Auckland's strengths lie in their backs where fullback Lolagi Visinia and centre Malakai Fekitoa have enjoyed strong seasons and the calming influence of second-five Hadleigh Parkes cannot be underestimated.
Auckland have struggled at the breakdown in recent weeks but the return of flanker Luke Braid to the starting XV will give them some steel in the contact areas.
Canterbury halfback Andy Ellis has made a miraculous recovery from a dislocated shoulder suffered last week in the side's romp over North Harbour to claim the No 9 jersey today.
Towering lock Dominic Bird will make his long-awaited return from a pectoral injury and has been named on the bench although the side will be without the experience of hooker Corey Flynn who has been ruled out with a neck problem.
Despite their injury concerns, Canterbury still boast a powerful line-up including three Whitelock brothers - Adam, George and Luke - Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl and steady pivot Tyler Bleyendaal.
Canterbury have been installed as hot favourites and given their imposing record of recent years it's easy to see why. Auckland will need to find a way to perform away from home if they want to run the Cantabrians close.
Auckland: Lolagi Visinia, Vince Aso, Malakai Fekitoa, Hadleigh Parkes (captain), George Moala, Simon Hickey, Wayne Ngaluafe, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Sean Polwart, Sean Brookman, Liaki Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Tom McCartney, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kara Pryor, Jack Whetton, William Lloyd, Junior Poluleuligaga, Tenina Sauileoge.
Canterbury: Johnny McNicholl, Patrick Osborne, Adam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Rob Thompson, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Nasi Manu, George Whitelock (captain), Luke Whitelock, Luke Katene, Joel Everson, Nepo Laulala, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody. Reserves: Seb Siataga, Paea Fa'anunu, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Richie Mo'unga, Jamie Verran.
