Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney today said while an end-of-season review had identified areas for improvement in the team's operation the year was balanced out by the emergence of several exciting new Test players.

The Kiwis' Four Nations campaign ended with a disappointing performance in their 12-20 loss to England at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium on Saturday, allowing the home side to advance to the final against the Kangaroos at Elland Road next Saturday night.

Kearney said a full review of the year was conducted by the Kiwis' management team after the defeat by England.

The Kiwis' 2009 programme began with a loss to Australia in the Anzac Test in May and was followed by a win against Tonga in last month's one-off Test in Rotorua. The Four Nations tournament produced a draw-win-loss sequence against the Kangaroos, France and England.

"It's important to review yourselves no matter what happens," said Kearney.

"We've had five Tests this year and, while there were pleasing aspects overall and especially over the last few weeks, the season obviously hasn't finished the way we wanted it to.

"We've identified some areas where we didn't quite come up to the standards we set ourselves. It's more about getting our processes to the point where they give us the chance to be our best for every match we play.

"In analysing what happened over the past month, it's clear our preparation could have been improved on. These days if you're just a little off the mark in terms of your preparation, it'll hurt you and we saw the effects of that against England.

"We know where we need to improve as a management group and the players also know what they need to do to ensure we continue to do all we can to build the culture we're striving for."

Kearney said as well as reviewing the year, planning was well under way for 2010 and beyond, looking at next year's Anzac Test and the Four Nations tournament in New Zealand and Australia plus the 2011 Four Nations in the northern hemisphere.

Having completed their review, team management will discuss it with the New Zealand Rugby League when they return home.

"While we looked back on the year, we also began our planning for 2010 and beyond, looking at the Anzac Test next year as well as the Four Nations when it is played in Australia and at home."

In Kearney's first two years as coach, the Kiwis have played 12 Tests, winning seven - including the 2008 World Cup final - drawing one and losing four.

A total of 36 players have been used during that period, 11 of whom made their Test debuts. Six of those were during this campaign as winger Bryson Goodwin, centre Junior Sa'u, prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala, prop-second rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, second rower Ben Matulino and centre Kieran Foran made their arrival on the international stage.

"The way the young players have handled themselves at this level over the last month has been one of the real highlights from the year," said Kearney.

"We had another two players (Kevin Locke and Eddy Pettybourne) on this tour who didn't have the chance to play a Test but the new boys we used did a terrific job for us.

"Those players made tremendous progress during the weeks we had together."

Melbourne prop Adam Blair, outstanding in a back row role during the Four Nations, is the only player who has appeared in all 12 of the Kiwis' Tests over the last two years. Sam Perrett, Lance Hohaia, Thomas Leuluai, Benji Marshall and Nathan Fien have missed one each.

The Kiwis began their return home to Australia and New Zealand today. Kearney left for Melbourne this morning while more staff and players fly out tonight. Other groups will leave on Wednesday and Thursday.

Five of the Kiwis' management team plus the NZRL's high performance director Tony Kemp will visit the Manchester United Football Club on Thursday.