Further steps need to be taken during this tournament, starting tomorrow at Suncorp Stadium. It's a unique opportunity, with a possible three games on home soil - a rare treat for the Kiwis and one they have tended to make the most of.
In 1999, Frank Endacott's team beat Australia and Great Britain to make the Tri-Nations final, where they suffered a last-gasp two-point loss to the Kangaroos. In 2006, Brian McClennan guided his side to the Tri-Nations final, courtesy of wins over Great Britain in Wellington and Christchurch, before the epic finale in Sydney that was decided in extra time. And in 2010, the Kiwis won two of their three group matches on home soil, before stunning the Australians 16-12 in a famous final.
Kearney needs some success against the Kangaroos, or at least two strong performances. The golden glow of the 2008 World Cup triumph and that win in 2010 have long since faded. The Kiwis' losing run now stands at eight, and they have only come within 10 points in three of those games. It's difficult to compare eras, but his record is now starting to pale against other prominent Kiwis coaches such as Graham Lowe, Frank Endacott and Brian McClennan.
Given the circumstances, is Kearney feeling the pressure?
"You could say there is extra pressure," Kearney said. "But I don't see it that way. For me, every match is important, no matter where we are playing or who we are playing. Of course we want to do well at home but I don't think that adds pressure."
Kearney is adamant his team is getting closer to the Australians, despite the barren run.
"We believe we can beat them, otherwise there is no point going out there," he said. "We know what it takes. It's never going to be easy but we have got close in the last few years."
It's difficult to assess Kearney's achievements. He has had a larger pool of players to choose from than any other Kiwis coach, with unprecedented numbers of New Zealanders in the NRL. However, he has also had the misfortune to coincide with Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater. The Kangaroos always have great players but that foursome have been a quartet for the ages, and at least two of them (Smith and Thurston) are destined to be immortals.
Kearney's statistics don't match up well against Lowe and McClennan particularly, though he has now coached against Australia twice as many times as that duo. He tends to make conservative selections and puts great emphasis on team culture. Hence his continuing loyalty towards players such as Jason Nightingale and safe choice Gerard Beale over the more unpredictable - and more explosive - Manu Vatuvei.
Kearney's mantras are high completions, minimal errors and low penalty counts. It's from the Melbourne Storm playbook but has been questioned in the past, with some believing the Kiwis need to be allowed to use their natural flair.
"Everyone has their view," Kearney said. "But one thing I know for sure is that if you don't complete your sets, you make lots of errors and you give away penalties, you aren't going to beat Australia."
Kearney is also fixated on the future, with many of his selections looking forward to 2017. That's admirable, but surely it is imperative to pick the best team. It is vital that the Kiwis perform well in this tournament and, if they do, players will need less persuading to don the black and white jersey in future.
The Kiwis camp in Brisbane has been a happy, united and extremely tight-knit group. One new member of the management staff said he'd experienced nothing like it, even on many Origin camps. Let's hope that bodes well for tomorrow night.
