''We've seen a bit of Khawaja, he's had a bit of experience and he's a good player," New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said.
''Burns we saw a little bit of in Canberra (at the start of the tour). He looked a good player and he played out of his skin in the test."
That said, McMillan sees hopes for New Zealand if they can get their fast-medium bowling group on song early in the second test, starting at the Waca on Friday.
''I think if we get it right there's still room for manoeuvre. But to me, David Warner and Steven Smith are the key."
Stocky opener Warner was the man of the match for his 164 and 116 in Brisbane. For a player initially branded a T20 specialist only, he has made himself into a terrific test player, averaging 49.1, with 14 test hundreds.
His ability to knock a bowling attack off stride early, then cash in, has turned him into one of the best - and most feared -- test batsmen.
He clouted India for 180 off 159 balls at the Waca in 2012; a year later Warner took 112 off England on the same ground. Both games were easily won by Australia. He has form at this ground.
Smith missed out in Brisbane, making 48 and 1, Trent Boult whistling a fine inswinger through his defences in the first innings.
But he's averaging 55 in tests and has already hit 11 centuries in 34 tests. Smith has struck seven of them in the last 12 months, and all 11 have been made in the first innings.
McMillan remains optimistic about finding ways to trim Australia's batting sails.
''They are the two guys who sit above the rest," he said of Warner and Smith.
''If we can put a dent in them it puts the rest of the batting lineup on notice. That's the challenge, knock over those guys early and see how they respond."
