Disappointment rather than any form of anger was the theme of Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney Four Nations' test experience in Warrington yesterday.
His side lost 26-12 to the Kangaroos, his eighth defeat in 11 tests in charge against them, yet there was still no hint - at least beyond therealm of the dressing room - that he was anything but composed.
Kearney knows he has a side down on personnel; he is missing at least a team of players who would be considered if it weren't for circumstances such as injury. He knows the current crop have the talent to inflict the necessary damage to win. He knows his Kiwis legacy is building sides with terrific tournament records like that which won the World Cup in 2008 and the Four Nations last year. Yet success seems beyond his grasp at the moment.
"I'm disappointed in the end, given we worked hard to get into position and within four points [16 minutes into the second half]," Kearney said. "Another disappointing aspect was that we had ample opportunities near the tryline and it was disappointing to be down by 16 points at halftime. That was difficult to claw back, even if we got within four. That momentum is so hard to maintain.
"Sure we won in 2008 and 2010 but we didn't [make the final] in 2009. There are no guarantees. We still need to show a willingness to improve. I need an indication next week from the guys that they can build from here against Wales and England."
"The interpretation of the play-of-the-ball is an ongoing issue. It was awfully slow in places and the Australians did that better than us. We got an indication beforehand of what was and wasn't allowed but we're still confused. We tried to match them in the second half and managed to reduce those opportunities where teams have to stun an opposition by getting through it quickly.
"You've got to do what you can get away with. It's a good gauge for next time if we're in that position with the same ref [Brit Phil Bentham]."
Kearney also lamented his side's inability to translate attack to points.
"We got within striking distance at times, particularly in the second half. We're good enough, we could have challenged. But at one point in the first half, we completed about one in six sets, which is unacceptable.
"In the second half, we kept on a lot more pressure in possession. We have guys who can cause just as much damage as Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston. We just need to get to the end of sets and produce good kicks for territory."
