Senior Socceroos have rejected suggestions they are treating New Zealand as football lightweights going into their World Cup tune-up at the MCG on Monday night.

It's a friendly match seen by most as one the Socceroos should win against far lower-ranked opponents, anything else suggesting impending World Cup disaster in South Africa next month.

But skipper Lucas Neill and midfielder Jason Culina say they are not among those talking down the All Whites, rating the match vital to their World Cup preparations and New Zealand as quality opposition.

Both are certain to start as the Socceroos field most of their first-choice players while resting those with niggling injury concerns including Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer.

"So you're saying New Zealand's not as good as Australia?" Neill quizzed one member of the media who asked whether New Zealand would put more stock in beating their trans-Tasman enemies because they were underdogs.

"I think you, like a lot of people, don't rate New Zealand as highly as we do as footballers.

"You've got to give them credit for being one of the last 32 teams going into the World Cup.

"New Zealand will pose a good test for us ... every game we'll play will test us in different ways - physically, tactically and mentally.

"New Zealand's a perfect opponent to have at this stage."

Culina said he wasn't among those who saw the performance as being more important than the result.

"They're both important. It would be nice to win, but to win and play well is really what you want," Culina said.

"We don't gain any points or positions from it, but there's no friendly games these days - we all take it very seriously, we all want to play well and we all want to win.

"We've shown over the years we play tough, and we're hungry for success.

"I see Monday night as great preparation for us, as will New Zealand. I'm going to treat it like any other game I play for the national team."

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