KEY POINTS:
It's a curious situation; even on this side of the Ditch, there's probably more interest in how Australia react to recent events than what New Zealand produce when the first test starts in Brisbane today.
No one gives Daniel Vettori's men much chance of producing a whopping boilover, therefore expectations are low.
Their record in Brisbane is one win from seven tests, and that was when You Know Who took 15 wickets; most of the defeats have been substantial.
Last time, in 2004, Glenn McGrath, at No 11, made 61; New Zealand were rolled for 76 in their second innings.
New Zealand's form against Bangladesh in their leadup series was largely ordinary; they were given a duffing by New South Wales' second XI in their only warmup game in Australia.
They have question marks over their opening partnership - Aaron Redmond, rather than Jamie How - and an inexperienced middle order, in which Jesse Ryder and Daniel Flynn are playing their third and sixth tests respectively. The likes of Australian seamers Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark should relish having a piece of that line-up.
Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum - the batsman, not the wicketkeeper - loom as pivotal figures, and things have come to a pretty pass when it's not hard to find someone who reckons Daniel Vettori to be New Zealand's most-reliable batsman.
He has carved a reputation as the best No 8 in the past few years. In his last 28 tests, going back to that Brisbane debacle four years ago, Vettori is averaging 41, with 18 scores of 40 or above.
No wonder he gets toey when those whose designated job is to score runs don't, most recently against a New South Wales side without their four first-choice fast-medium bowlers.
Relying on Vettori to repeatedly get them out of jail is no long-term solution. The batsmen simply have to stand up.
New ball men Chris Martin and Kyle Mills will need to be on song and New Zealand must field out of their skin. Once again it's the sum-of-all-parts situation for New Zealand. No one can let the side down.
But it's Australia's performance which could be more intriguing.
Coming off their 2-0 series loss in India - which has been extensively gnawed over with the firm conclusion that the decade and a half of world domination is over - they should hit the Gabba with a fierce resolve.
They remain a formidable outfit, will still beat most opponents, but that aura of damn-near invincibility rammed down rival throats by the likes of Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer is gone.
Their skipper, Ponting, is prickly, particularly with two former Australian captains, Ian Chappell and Allan Border, who were savage in their criticism of his leadership in the fourth test in India.
He will want to take out his fury on someone. Ah, right on cue, here come New Zealand.
Not to forget Andrew Symonds is back having been rehabilitated after preferring fishing to playing Bangladesh last season, and he is undamaged by the Indian inquisition.
These are the opponents New Zealand most enjoy tussling with. It should bring out the best competitive instincts, but will still be an uphill slog. Some things never change.
