The Kiwis touched down in Adelaide on Saturday - barely 24 hours before they will front up with a massively undermanned side against Australia - after being thrashed 3-0 by Mexico in Denver on Thursday (Australian time).

Sixteen players are unavailable for selection for New Zealand, including captain Ryan Nelsen, West Ham defender Winston Reid and Wellington Phoenix pair Tony Lochhead and Leo Bertos – leaving them with just 14 fit men.

But Australia coach Holger Osieck had earlier dismissed suggestions that the All Whites would be heavy-legged after their near-30-hour round trip from the US.

"I heard a lot of things regarding New Zealand and I don't like to listen to that. That is all crap," Osieck said. "You are only tired when you talk about it."

Herbert quickly returned serve, conceding that his troops are exhausted but promising they will be up for the task.

"I'm sure if he jumped on a plane and traveled like we did, he'd probably be feeling a bit weary too," he said.

"We took the challenges on. At the end of the day, nobody would have looked into a crystal ball and seen so many players unavailable. But that's life.

"I don't think you could have asked for a better one, to have to back up and travel 30 hours and perform 24 hours later. Australia is the right recipe for that.

"You don't come across the Tasman to take things lightly. Let's call it an A-international, not a friendly. We want to do well.

"You'll all be writing us off but that's a very dangerous place to be."

Fortunately for Herbert, teenage sensation Marco Rojas, who recently signed with Melbourne Victory, is over his virus and looks set to play some part in the match on Sunday.

Combined with the creative expertise of young Brisbane Roar winger Kosta Barbarouses, Herbert says the All Whites will be extremely dangerous if their strikeforce is provided with the right service.

Former A-League golden boot Shane Smeltz and English-based teenager Chris Wood – who helped Brighton & Hove Albion secure promotion to the Championship this season with eight goals in 29 appearances – are likely to feature up front.

"We've got nine of the starting 11 from the World Cup. We've got some pace and quality in the front third of the pitch. We've got to get the ball there (first) but if we do, that might be a strong point for us," he said.

"There's a little bit of vulnerability at the back with the Australians and who better to create those problems than Kosta?"

Herbert also dismissed claims that friendlies such as this one are meaningless, saying that pride between two great cultural and sporting rivals is on the line.

"In 2005, hardly anybody cared about our sport. Now everybody loves it," Herbert said.

"We've put football back to where it needs to be in New Zealand and I think we all have a responsibility and an accountability tomorrow to step up and perform, no matter who's on the pitch.

"Any international has pride and that's what we're about."