New Zealand - just another brick in Australia's wall?

Australia's right to favouritism for the World Cup has never been in doubt.

It has marched relentlessly through the early rounds of the tournament in the manner expected, just as it has for most of the summer.

New Zealand, by comparison, slipped into the Super Six although its right to that position could not be questioned after it at least beat the West Indies and South Africa to make that possible.

Now, comes the real test.

A match with the arch-rivals, and one that is no doubt keenly awaited by both sides.

New Zealand might have achieved a dominance over Australia in their last outings, last summer's VB Series in Australia.

Times are much different this time around.

The Australians of last summer had Steve and Mark Waugh, Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie.

They were all players well known to the New Zealanders and plots to stymie their influence were worked out well in advance.

Some newer cabs are parked on the Australian rank now, and how the New Zealanders handle this new blood will determine their fate in this World Cup.

Sporting oddsmakers would say that without a core of experience, long established sides are weaker. That doesn't seem to apply to this well equipped and prepared Australian side.

Rather, they are now playing individuals who are keen to keep their spots in the future, and ahead of a rising tide of quality bursting for a taste of the international action.

That makes Ricky Ponting's side as formidable, if not moreso, than the Steve Waugh-led Australians of the past.

New Zealand are not without some virtues of their own.

Every one of the players in South Africa has met the Australians in an international match. The side appreciate the threat that Australia are to them.

By the same token, the Australians are more familiar with their opponents as a result of last summer and they can be assured of targeting the individuals they perceive to be the key elements in the side.

Australia cherish the thought of going through this World Cup unbeaten.

Why shouldn't they?

Their record says they are capable of it.

New Zealand are just another impediment in their quest.

However, Stephen Fleming's side have shown a greater ability to seize their chance than New Zealand teams have managed for many years.

They have achieved a depth in their batting that means no opponent can rest until the entire line-up is quelled.

Their bowling has yet to produce the perfect performance, and the lesson from the last 10 over pummelling Zimbabwe achieved could be crucial to the last stages of this campaign.

The job of beating Australia is as tough as it gets. That's why success is so highly prized.

Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn and Michael Bevan defy any description that Australia have been weakened by the absence of their more experienced players.

Just how Craig McMillan, Fleming, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns and Chris Harris sit alongside their opposite numbers will be a big factor in the outcome of this contest.

In Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram New Zealand have three players who will command respect from Australia, but the difference in containing the megastar Australian batting line-up will depend on how Andre Adams, Cairns and Harris respond to the bowling duties.

But, in dealing with the guile and pace of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, the unrelenting pressure from Andy Bichel and Ian Harvey, and the spin of Brad Hogg and Lehmann, New Zealand will largely determine their own fate.

So it has always been in transtasman contests, and tomorrow is just another extension of the rivalry but with a more significant outcome.