Hesson wants more aggro from quicks

No more Mr Nice Guy - sort of.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson reckons he couldn't care less about Mitchell Starc's Gabba incident but has called for more aggression from his quicks in this week's second Test in Perth.

The Black Caps have laid claim to "world's most polite team", going out of their way to avoid conflict against the in-your-face Australians in their trans-Tasman Test series. 

WATCH: Smith disappointed with Starc throw

And Hesson maintained the nice guy act on Tuesday when asked about Starc who was fined almost $8000 and publicly rebuked by captain Steve Smith for throwing the ball at Kiwi tailender Mark Craig on the final day of Australia's first Test victory in Brisbane.

"I have no interest in how he operates to be fair," Hesson said of Starc.

"It is more what he does with the ball. He is always a worry.

"That will concern us more than what he does with his mouth or whether he throws the ball."

But Hesson was concerned by the meek effort from his quicks in the 208-run Gabba loss, albeit largely without their strike weapon Tim Southee (back).

UPDATE: Black Caps on Southee injury

Their spearhead was again the pick of the bowlers in Australia's first innings before breaking down on the second day.

His fitness for the second Test will be assessed at a Perth net session on Wednesday.

They will be sweating on Southee's Perth availability after their bowling stocks were further depleted by allrounder James Neesham (back) also breaking down in Brisbane and being ruled out of the series.

And world No.5 Trent Boult appeared a shell of himself in Brisbane on his return from a back complaint.

But Hesson was not looking for excuses - just more aggression from his quicks.

It may be out of character for the Kiwi visitors but Hesson admitted that was what was required if they were to bounce back on a lively Perth deck.

"We need more aggressive intent with the ball," he said.

"We are a bit underdone from a skill perspective.

"I was disappointed with the way we bowled ... outside of Tim who was very good."

When quizzed about being underdone, Hesson did not blame their controversial pre-Test abandoned Blacktown tour match for their lacklustre Gabba effort.

"We have plenty of good nets in Brisbane to be ready on the first day, and we weren't - we have no excuses," he said. 

WATCH: Tour match abandoned due to pitch concerns

A fit Southee again looms as the key to their Perth chances but Hesson claimed they would not gamble on their strike bowler's fitness.

"He is a huge part of our side and leads our attack but we are not going to take someone in unless he is confident he can play for us," Hesson said.

"(But) he's progressing well."

Neil Wagner has been called in for Southee but left-arm bowler Matt Henry is on standby for the Perth Test.

Mitchell McClenaghan replaced Neesham in the squad.