Stephen Kearney admits that next time the Kiwis are selected, they will need to take into account "character as well as talent".

The NZRL has stopped short of blaming the use of prescription drugs and energy drinks for the Kiwis' heavy defeat to Australia in last year's World Cup final.

Rugby league authorities will combat the use of sleeping pills and energy drinks by players by including it in drug tests and possibly in codes of conduct.

Jason Nightingale and Shaun Kenny-Dowall are the latest Kiwis players to throw their support behind Stephen Kearney being reappointed New Zealand coach.

Stephen Kearney is the favourite to retain the Kiwis coaching job, despite what happened in last year's World Cup final.

Evaluating a team's place in history is difficult but the present Australian side must be among the best.

The Kiwis rolled back the years in the World Cup final, evoking depressing days past as they failed to fire a shot and were chewed up by the Aussies, writes Chris Rattue.

Sam Thaiday has revealed how the haka backfired on the Kiwis as the Kangaroos forwards went on to pummel the pack considered the meanest at the World Cup.

Stephen Kearney says he will take some time to think about whether he wants to continue as Kiwis coach in the aftermath of their heavy defeat to Australia.

Sonny Bill Williams doesn't have to contend with failure very often but yesterday it reduced the Kiwis second-rower to tears.

As the champagne flowed for the Australian side, the tears flowed for the Kiwis after they were humbled 34-2 in this morning's World Cup final.

For five years it has pained Australia to know they were not world champions. This morning at Old Trafford they put that right in a masterful performance.

As well as watching the Kiwis with close interest, the league community in this country has spent much of the World Cup assessing the merits of Sam Tomkins.

The Kiwis call it "The Brotherhood" and they see it as their secret weapon heading into tomorrow's World Cup final against the Kangaroos.