"Especially to miss out on the semi and the final of the World Cup was really disappointing. I just wanted to work hard and try to get back in the team and I've done that."
The versatile back-rower turned prop returned to the Kiwis side for this year's April test and was at the forefront of the Bulldogs' finals revival with several eye-catching displays throughout September convincing New Zealand selectors of his worth.
Earning a place back on the bench for tonight's Four Nations clash with Australia has Eastwood excited and he admits the strong competition for spots means he is pleased just to have been given the nod by coach Stephen Kearney.
"Just getting in the team, wherever you play, just getting a spot will do me, that's what I'm happy with. You always want to start, any player would say that, but there's a lot of great guys [here]. Jason Taumalolo's in at lock and Blairy [Adam Blair] and Jesse Bromwich have been in form so you can't complain.
"Coming off the bench I've just got to keep that energy going so we don't slacken off."
Since debuting in the 2007 Anzac test the Manurewa junior has racked up 20 appearances for his country and the 2008 World Cup winner admits he is now settling into the role as one of the Kiwis' senior men.
"I've played a number of tests and some of the guys haven't and are making their debuts or just had a couple of games. I've been around in the team for a few years now and I've really tried to take in some of that leadership role and just help guide the younger guys coming through about what to expect and what's expected of them in the camp. It's always exciting to come into camp and see new faces and some of the older guys that have been around for a bit."
Taumalolo is one of those emerging youngsters, set to debut in tonight's match, with Eastwood backing the 21-year-old to put in a strong performance after sitting on the fringes of selection over the past three seasons.
"He pops his head in now and again when we're in camp. He's a pretty quiet guy but watching him play all year it's exciting to see him finally get that chance to pull on the black and white jersey. He's excited himself and he'll try and prove a point that he deserves that position and the jumper."
Eastwood is relaxed when discussing his own role in the side, and says Kearney has given him a roving commission to either play back-up to the starting front-rowers or utilise his footwork and ball skills on the edges of the ruck.
"Playing lock or prop I guess they sort of do the same role now. He's told me 'you know how to play in the middle' and roam around and use your ball skills and play your game.
"He gives me that confidence and I'm going to put out what I can do."
Eastwood laughs at talk that the new-look Kangaroos might be vulnerable, but admits the Kiwis need to build upon their efforts from April's narrow Anzac test defeat.
"There never has been a weak Aussie team in rugby league. You look at their team across the board and you've got to be on your game for the whole 80 minutes. We played well for 60 in the Anzac test and slackened off and that's when they punished us in the last 20."
Remedying that situation is the Kiwis' challenge, but Eastwood says they are clear on what they need to achieve against the World Champions.
"Playing for the whole 80 and dominating through the middle and then we've got guys like Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran working off us, which always helps."
Away from the field, the laid back character is enjoying life with his wife and three children, with another addition expected early next year, which he accepts will rule him out of the NRL Auckland Nines.
"The wife's already told me that I'm not going. But I wouldn't miss the birth of my child for the world and it's just one weekend so hopefully I won't have any more kids and I can play in the one after that.
"She wants four before she is 30, so she's going to get that."
