Tim Sheens has laughed off a threat from the New Zealand and Wests Tigers' halfback Benji Marshall to end his international coaching career before it starts.

Sheens will name his first Kangaroos team to face the World Cup winners New Zealand on May 8 this Sunday, and said he will be treating the game no differently to any other in his long, distinguished career.

"Benji has told me I am only going to last one game .. he said they are going to beat us by such a score that I will be sacked so I guess we will have to see about that," said the Wests Tigers mentor.

The last time the two nations met was in the World Cup final in Brisbane last November where the Kiwis produced one of the biggest upsets in the game's history with a 34-20 victory.

The defeat and a verbal attack on referee Ashley Klein led to Ricky Stuart's resignation as coach but Sheens said he didn't feel he was on a hiding to nothing by taking on the role.

"I don't see that at all .. it's the same for players ... you grab every game. I am not looking to what might happen further than Friday week," he said.

"If I only coach one game then so be it, if I coach there for five years so be it. I am just looking forward to coaching Australia .. and doing my part.

"I have no expectations, don't worry about what might happen. I have never done that in my career and I am not going to start doing that now."

Sheens kept any details about the make-up of his team close to his chest on Thursday but did admit there'd be some observers who'd disagree with the final selections.

"The side will be selected on Sunday night ... there is still a (round) to be played. If you have been in the game as long as I have you don't start counting things until the fat lady sings," Sheens said.

"It won't happen until after the last game on Sunday, so we will wait and see who comes through this weekend."

"I am sure there will be conjecture about the team selected, I have never seen a team in Australia that hasn't.

"Mainly this is because we have got more players in each position than there are positions. But I am sure it will be a good side that is selected."

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