The All Whites are desperate for more regular games against Australia, on the eve of their first of two international friendlies at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand haven't played their trans-Tasman rivals since 2011, and only four times in the last two decades.
In what used to be a regular fixture, the Socceroos departure for the AFC from the OFC in 2006 has meant busier schedules and less opportunity for desired friendlies.
But All Whites coach Danny Hay and vice-captain Chris Wood are pleading for more games between the sporting rivals, in hopes to grow football in New Zealand.
"There's something special about the chance of us getting to play the Aussies. Obviously with them being in a different Confederation now, that makes it quite difficult because their calendar is so full," he said.
"It would be fantastic for the game, particularly in New Zealand, if we could have regular fixtures against the Socceroos here, home and away, it's pretty special."
Meanwhile, Wood has fond memories of the last time he played Australia, a heart-breaking 2-1 loss at Melbourne in 2010.
He echoed Hay's comments, and wants the home and away format to be regularly contested, with the second friendly taking at Auckland's Eden Park on September 25.
"I think it should be done on a more regular occasion, I think every four years, there should be a home and away competition or something like that done, no matter what," Wood said.
"It's been way too long since we played Aussie. It needs to be a regular thing and it's something I think we should push for to make it happen in our calendars both going forward.
"It's great to be over this side of the world playing football. But I want this to be a regular occurrence. It should be a regular occurrence every four years to play home and away against the Aussies.
"The only fixture I played in was the one in 2010 pre-World Cup, and it was a very heated match and it was good to be a part of.
"But we want this more so this feeling can come around a lot.
"This game is going to be a great game. A great, heated game I'm sure. There's a lot of quality in both sides, so it will be interesting to see."
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