To see Kevin Rudd meet the Socceroos...
  

Culina is one of the few Australian-based players in the Socceroos' preliminary 30-man squad and so far has more intimate knowledge of the All Whites than Australia's overseas-based stars.

Not only will several members of New Zealand's starting line-up come from A-League side Wellington Phoenix but the All Whites' top striker Shane Smeltz is a team-mate of Culina's at Gold Coast United.

Australia's defensive midfield general says he's seen enough of Smeltz in particular to know the 20th-ranked Socceroos won't have it all their own way against the 78th-ranked New Zealanders on Monday night.

Particularly with New Zealand having also qualified for the World Cup in what will be their first appearance at the world's biggest sporting event since 1982.

"He is a very good goalscorer and there is no doubt he knows how to find the back of the net," Culina said of Smeltz.

"There is no doubt they (New Zealand) are a very good team and they have made it into the World Cup because they are a very good team.

"But we have a very good team here and we are good enough to beat New Zealand."

Culina said the MCG clash would also be vital for fringe members of the Socceroos squad desperately trying to secure their places in the final 23-man team to be named on June 1.

"We are all fighting for our positions so it's going to be huge for us," he said.

"Unfortunately I haven't played any games (since the end of the A-League season in March) so I am raring to go but I am fit and healthy and I can't ask for any more."

Australia's veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer also knows better than to underestimate the All Whites, who famously beat the Socceroos in the finals of the 1998 and 2002 Oceania Nations Cup before Australia's successful switch to the bigger Asian confederation.

"They will be tough and competitive and there is obviously that rivalry there," Schwarzer said.

"It's the first time we have both qualified for the World Cup at the same time and it's going to be a very entertaining game and hopefully the Australian public will come out and support us like they always do."

To see Kevin Rudd meet the Socceroos...