The Blackcaps on the front foot and in a bullish mood eight days out from the start of their hotly anticipated test series against Australia.
They've dismissed claims the team's underprepared and that key players are out of form heading into the series opener in Perth.
With the English entree over, the NZ cricketers are now hungry to tuck into the Aussies.
"We're going there not only to compete, but to win," says batsman Ross Taylor.
Taylor says the team deserves their chance to take on their bitter rivals in their own backyard in the main event of the Aussie summer.
"We're not normally there this time of year. We're not the biggest tour going around, but we've earned the right to go and play when the big boys play."
Australia warmed up for the day-night series opener in Perth with a dominant win over Pakistan, under lights in Adelaide, prompting questions over whether the Kiwis are prepared for what lies ahead.
"You can look at it different ways," said NZ coach Gary Stead. "We have three trainings there under lights.
"The last few days, we've had pink balls out and guys are doing a bit of training with that, just to get their head around it as well… I'm confident we'll be ready."
And the Blackcaps will need a good start in Perth, if they're to carry confidence into an historic Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Watch the full story above
