KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis selectors must continue their search for a halfback and five-eighth if the team is to be competitive at the end-of-year World Cup.
That was one big area of failure in Friday night's test.
To be fair, it was always a big ask for number seven Thomas Leuluai given he had a long flight from England and just two days with the squad prior to the Centenary Test while number six Lance Hohaia stepped in at the last moment after Ben Roberts was injured.
But a far better performance is needed in terms of skilful ball delivery, picking the right runners and, most of all, in the kicking game.
Perhaps Leuluai will be better with a full season at Wigan under his belt and a longer build-up. And maybe Roberts will force his way back through form with the Bulldogs. But none of these is in the class of the Aussie halves - who still have superstar Darren Lockyer to return.
The 28-12 result was the best for New Zealand in mid-season tests since 1998 but the great disappointment was that the Kiwis let in so many points in the opening quarter that they robbed themselves of all chance. It is not good enough that they won the second half 12-6, the Aussies clearly having buttoned off on attack and settled into solid defence by then.
Brent Webb was lacklustre at fullback and again there has to be questions asked about using players from England when they have such tight travel schedules. Though Webb is clearly the first-choice number one for the Cup opener against the Kangaroos in Sydney in October.
At hooker, young Issac Luke is a long-term option provided he is consistent for Souths in the NRL. He was quick off the mark, elusive, brave for his size on both attack and defence and showed he can kick. He's confident and experience should bring his game along in leaps and bounds.
There are no back row worries: Sonny Bill Williams and Frank Pritchard offer serious attacking impact and Simon Mannering solid carries and defence, with a multitude of back-up options. Likewise prop, where Nathan Cayless should be joined by brother Jason in October and captain Roy Asotasi is always reliable. The concussion that took him out of Friday's match was unfortunate.
Rookie centre Setaimata Sa showed he can foot it but unfortunately that wasn't until the second half. Likewise, Iosaia Soliola woke up late. Steve Matai and Clinton Toopi are other options with test experience.
At wing there may be some choice. Newcomer Jason Nightingale was adequate but Sam Perrett looked sluggish on Friday. The other Roosters wing Shaun Kenny-Dowall will come into contention if he arrests his error rate because he is bigger and stronger than those two.
As for the new coaches - they have to have a pass mark because they did manage to inspire a better second-half effort. They too had little preparation time. With more thought, more analysis of the opposition, more time to instil their game plan, the side must be expected to improve.
We can expect to see Wayne Bennett stay on as a World Cup mentor - and it will be with the blessing of coach Stephen Kearney given the way the pair worked together over the past week.
For the staunch Kiwis supporters who were there, one of the worst aspects of losses like that on Friday is having to listen to the comments of the Aussie crowd as you're shuffling out afterwards - I hope I never hear "that was no better than park football" or "told you the Kiwis couldn't play 80 minutes"after a test match ever again.
