Locked and loaded: Pattinson to bring the firepower

David Warner has backed James Pattinson to bring the firepower required to continue Australia's pace assault on New Zealand in Melbourne.

Pattinson's rollercoaster year will end on a high this week with just his third Boxing Day Test at his home ground of the MCG, and his first since 2015.

Despite being one of Australia's leading quicks of the decade, this week's Test will only be the right-armer's 20th for Australia due largely to a multitude of injuries.

The Trans-Tasman Trophy has so far shaped as a battle of the pacemen.

New Zealand will welcome Trent Boult back for Melbourne, and while their pace cartel aren't as quick they move the ball and troubled the hosts with short-pitched bowling in Perth.

Australia's fast bowlers, meanwhile, offer more speed and bounce, troubling New Zealand's batsmen on the harder wickets.

And Warner said Pattinson wouldn't be caught lacking in the pace stakes based on his experiences both on and off the field with him.

"(He offers) just simple firepower," Warner said.

"He is a fierce competitor. He's got a lot of up and go about him, that's what we love. He's been like that since day one, even when he made his debut.

"I know he does (bring the fear factor) to us in the nets.

"He's well spoken high of, especially the guys who have played against him in County cricket. He puts the ball in the right areas and on the right length."

Pattinson has had a whirlwind year.

He only returned to Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria last November after a 15-month battle with stress fractures in his back.

He forced his way into the Ashes squad for his first Test in three years, and took five wickets at 33.40.

However, the right-armer then faced a tough battle to get into the Test side for the home summer with Mitchell Starc in form, before being suspended for the series-opener against Pakistan for an alleged on-field slur.

But he'll now finally get his chance on Boxing Day, after Langer confirmed over the weekend he would be the man to come in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

"He was gutted by that decision (to suspend him)," Warner said.

"He knows he did the wrong things and he copped it on the chin.

"When you look at what he did for us in England as well. It's all about being consistent and playing back-to-back games.

"His body has been right, and he's happy with that. He's chuffed to get back out there. Obviously being Boxing Day and his home crowd."

Domain Test Series v New Zealand

Australia squad: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle

New Zealand: Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson (c)

First Test: Australia won by 296 runs in Perth

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG (Seven, Fox & Kayo)

Third Test: January 3-7, SCG (Seven, Fox & Kayo)