Kiwis plan to use "power game" to overcome highly favoured Australia in Pacific Championships opener

They may be the reigning Pacific Championship kings, but the NZ Kiwis are facing a tall order against the superstar-studded Australian in Christchurch this weekend.

The hosts are without a host of key players through injury, among them Dally M medallist Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Brandon Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora and Jeremy Marshall-King.

The bookmaker's odds reflect that, with the Kangaroos heavily favoured to exact some revenge from last year's final humiliation in Hamilton, where the New Zealanders put them to the sword in a famous victory.

But centre Matthew Timoko believes there's a clear chink in the Aussie armour they'll be aiming to exploit on Sunday.

"They've got a lot of strike across the park, but we're willing to beat them up the middle and beat them with that power game," Timoko told SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.

"Our middles have always been a strength of ours. So yeah, we're going to have to use that power and then we can find a bit of spark and hopefully spread it around to our edges."

Timoko's upward trajectory continued with the Canberra Raiders last season, making the Aucklander a surefire selection for new head coach Stacey Jones' maiden squad.

He'll add to his four Test caps as the starting centre against the Kangaroos, where he'll be tasked with slowing down electrifying Dolphins and Queensland speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

The 24-year-old says it's a privilege to wear the white vee, and he hopes to do the occasion justice in front of a sold-out crowd at Apollo Projects Stadium.

"It's always a great experience being able to put on this jersey. It means a lot to us.

"I think they should put on more international fixtures throughout the year because for us, it's our pinnacle. The more we get to be able to put on this black jersey, the more we get to represent our country.

"I'm hoping there's a sea of black there and we can't wait to put on a show in front of the fans."

Listen to the full interview below: