League: Kearney paints positive picture for Kiwis future

New Zealand rugby league coach Stephen Kearney, 2nd right, reacts, during the Captains Run at the DW Stadium, Wigan England. Photo / AP.

Two years out from the 2017 World Cup, Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney knows he is sitting on a goldmine of talent.

As he reflected on a disappointing series loss to England today, that was one positive takeaway from the tour. The Kiwis now have a huge, perhaps unprecedented, amount of depth.

There are the 23 men who made the tour, the six or seven notable absentees through injury or off season surgery and another layer below them who featured in the train on squad but didn't make the plane to England.

As Kearney explained, it paints a positive scenario for 2016 and beyond.

"[Next year] the young boys will be hungry to stay in that position and there will be a couple of guys sitting back home thinking 'Shit, I'm going to have to play well to get my position back'," said Kearney. "That is what building depth is all about and I look forward to it."

That's a valid point. Now the Kiwis have room to move when injury or suspension strikes. They have the basis of a good squad regardless of who is available, as was proven on this tour - to a degree.

"To see the culture that we have created over the last 20 months - regardless of who [was] in the group [here] - still thrive and grow," said Kearney when asked for his tour highlight. "Sometimes when you don't have the personnel the expectation is for that to wane a bit [but they] all saw each other as equals."

And despite the series loss - and a below par performance yesterday in Wigan, Kearney was generally pleased with his squad, a modern day version of the 1986 `Baby Blacks'.

"I am proud of their efforts," said Kearney. "A lot of people weren't expecting us to do any good. But I was always confident that we had a group that were keen and passionate to play for their country."

However, Kearney's post mortem wasn't about sugar coating the results. They lost two tests, with the 20-14 defeat yesterday particularly galling. The Kiwis also conceded several soft tries, and apart from the first 30 minutes in Hull and a late rally yesterday, never really had their attack firing.

"We didn't achieve what we set out to achieve," said Kearney. "I hate losing - like the rest of the group hate losing - and [it was] probably even more disappointing that we didn't give it our best shot yesterday."

Before the team headed out on the town yesterday - to sample the Liverpool nightlife and reflect on the last few weeks - Kearney addressed the entire squad.

"The point that I made was that [yesterday was] a lesson in test match football and what it is all about," said Kearney. "Last week [they] had the energy and resolve to get the job done and [yesterday I didn't think we had that as much."

International test football has never been more competitive between the big three nations and with only get closer next year. Australia is on the rise - with a new coach coming and an injection of young talent while this time next year the Four Nations will double as a Sam Burgess homecoming event in England. Can the Kiwis stay a step ahead?

"The lesson is to take away the experience of the series, the hurt of losing, to make sure they do improve themselves," said Kearney. "What do they take out of the tournament? How can they be better so they get selected next year? If collectively they are doing that as a 23, plus a fair few sitting at home then I am sure we will improve."

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