Cricket World Cup: Black Cap Luke Ronchi will find no friends at Eden Park

David Warner pledged to put aside any friendship with Black Cap Luke Ronchi when the pair clash. Photo / Getty

New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi may be a former teammate and good friend of some in the Australian camp, but that will mean little on Saturday.

Ronchi debuted for Australia in 2008, however the gloveman soon fell out of favour with national and Western Australia selectors.

The 33-year-old Black Cap opted to instead pursue a career in New Zealand, which has proven a masterstroke given he is now part of the country's World Cup side.

Ronchi will tackle Australia on Saturday when the two co-hosts meet in a blockbuster clash at Eden Park.

Australian opener David Warner noted it was "fantastic to see" Ronchi excelling at international level, but that was where the good will stopped.

"It's just another game for us," Warner said. "We know Ronc very well, he's a good player, has been for a couple of years.

"He's given himself the opportunity to come over here and play for New Zealand. At the end of the day he's playing against us. There'll be no friends on the field, but off the field we'll probably have a beer with him."

Warner suggested Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum was another opponent who seemed to be an infinitely likeable and "humble guy".

"I haven't played much against him, but he seems like a great guy," Warner said. "A lot of the guys know him off the field. He seems like a great, humble guy.

"But when we walk on the field it's going to be a different story."

-AAP