New Zealand will need to overturn a miserable modern-day record in mid-season rugby league Tests against Australia if they are to taste victory in Friday night's clash in Melbourne.

But Australian forwards Petero Civoniceva and Anthony Watmough insist the inexperienced Kiwis pack cannot be taken lightly, despite missing the likes of Frank Pritchard, Roy Asotasi, Fuifui Moimoi, Simon Mannering and Jeremy Smith due to injury.

The Kiwis have lost their last 10 mid-season Tests against Australia, their last victory a 22-16 triumph in Auckland in 1998.

That record compares unfavourably to internationals played later in the year, including the 20-all draw in last year's Five Nations in England and New Zealand's epic 34-20 victory over the Kangaroos in the 2008 World Cup final in Brisbane.

"All that I know is when you put a New Zealander in a black jersey, special things happen," veteran Australian prop Civoniceva said on Tuesday ahead of his 41st Test.

"I know how tough the contest will be on Friday night so I'm not reading too much into the inexperience side of it.

"I know we're in for a very physical and torrid match on Friday.

"It's what you expect when you take on New Zealand."

But Penrith captain Civoniceva did acknowledge that the enforced absence of his Panthers' teammate Pritchard was a huge blow for New Zealand.

"That first game last year in the Four Nations, he was New Zealand's X-factor and he took some stopping," said Civoniceva.

"But with the guys they've got in that squad there's an amazing amount of attacking ability.

"And defensively we're going to have to lift a few notches on our last performance against them."

The green New Zealand pack includes Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia and Newcastle back-rower Zeb Taia, both of whom are uncapped at international level.

Front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has played just eight NRL first-grade games, is preparing for his fifth Test.

Sydney Roosters prop Waerea-Hargreaves showed no nerves on his international debut in last year's draw in the Four Nations clash in London.

"The way the Kiwis have been playing in the last couple of years they've really stuck it to us," said Manly second-rower Watmough.

"They had a pretty immature pack last year and in the World Cup when they touched us up.

"They have a dig for one another and that's what footy is really about these days - especially Test footy.

"If you have a dig with the bloke next to you then anything can happen.

"It's just one of those things.

"Whoever gives up first or whoever wins that arm-wrestle is going to win the game."

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