There's an element of typically Australian trash talk about it, but it is not wholly misplaced.
New Zealand, for all their wayward bowling at the Gabba during the first test loss, simply must bat long in their first innings to make sure they stay in the contest.
In 12 of their last 23 first test innings, New Zealand have passed 400 12 times; boil it down and they've done that in eight of their last 16, and only three times dropped below 250, so they are not without form in that area.
"We're not surprised by it," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said last night of the Australian chatter.
"The Waca is a fast, good wicket, a fast-scoring ground and if you get through the first 15-20 balls, with the ball potentially hitting the stickers on the bat, then you can develop your cross bat shots and score pretty quickly."
McCullum acknowledged the impressive Waca numbers of the Mitchells Johnson and Starc, but insisted there's no fear. And while that first innings will be critical - seven of the last nine toss winners have batted first at the Waca - McCullum singled out the bowling in Brisbane as the most disappointing aspect.
"We were just a little bit off," he said.
"It could have been anxiety about such a big series, or we hadn't played for a while; or it could be that they knocked us off our length."
Time, then for new bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas to earn his corn.
Maybe it was a bit of everything, but there's no question that more of the same in Perth and New Zealand will be shunted out of the series before even reaching the keenly-anticipated pink ball test in Adelaide.
New Zealand will cut Tim Southee some extra slack to prove he's ready for the test, after his back injury during the Brisbane match.
He had a workout in the nets last night. The composition of the side hinges on Southee's selection.
New Zealand could opt for four seamers, including Southee, to cover any relapse he may suffer.
Other options include playing three seamers and bringing in left arm spinner and useful batsman Mitchell Santner, to complement Mark Craig's offspin.
"Tim is a strong leader within the group. We trust him completely and he'll make a decision which he believes is the best for the team," McCullum said.
He said there were good options in the squad and "whatever happens [with Southee] we are confident we'll take in a team that is going to get the job done."
There is fortitude and skill within the New Zealand team. The likes of Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, BJ Watling and McCullum all possess high degrees of talent in their specialist field. New Zealand simply have to dig deep and back themselves.
Australia v NZ
Second test
Perth, 3.30pm today
Umpires: Nigel Llong and S. Ravi
Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
