New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has defended All Whites striker Rory Fallon over his comments about Monday's clash with the Socceroos in Melbourne.

Socceroo Vince Grella labelled Fallon "unprofessional" for his suggestion that traditional trans-Tasman rivalry could mean players will get injured in the international friendly ahead of both teams' World Cup campaigns starting in June.

"I applaud Rory, he's a real heart-on-the-sleeve boy and that's good," Herbert said.

"But I think you also have to consider that there are 23 pretty competitive players in the national team now and they're all playing for a spot, so whoever we select to play against Australia are going to have to play well."

As for Grella's reaction, Herbert said there would always be "a bit of banter" back and forth across the Tasman.

"Everyone is going to have an opinion on it," he said.

"I think everyone is up for this. It's been five years and it's too long a wait to be playing Australia, that's for sure."

Fallon said on Wednesday after the All Whites assembled in Auckland that he didn't place much store by friendlies, but when it came to facing Australia, "all bets are off".

"I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few injuries," the Plymouth Argyle forward said.

"I don't think anyone is going to hold back against them. I'm certainly not going to hold back."

Grella, who plays for Blackburn Rovers, the same English Premier League side as All Whites skipper Ryan Nelsen, responded by saying he was disappointed by the comments.

He said football was a man's game, but he wouldn't want any New Zealand player to get injured.

"For him even to be thinking about things like that I think is very unprofessional," he said.

"Maybe he is trying to ruffle the wrong feathers."

Heavy rain in Auckland disrupted the All Whites preparations on Friday, with the day's second training session cancelled.

The squad head to Melbourne on Saturday and Herbert said the team to play the Socceroos would be named on Sunday.

He said there were three positions, one up front and two at the back, that he was still mulling over.

Herbert's striking choices include the British-based trio of Fallon, Chris Killen and Chris Wood, and A-League golden boot Shane Smeltz.

With Nelsen a certainty as the defensive lynchpin, and Herbert favouring a 3-5-2 formation, it looks like a case of who will join the skipper at the back.

While the coach is familiar with what the likes of Ben Sigmund and 65-cap Ivan Vicelich bring to the table, the European-based pair of Tommy Smith, who made his debut against Mexico in March, and the uncapped Winston Reid add options.

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