New Zealand captain Adam Blair insisted Saturday's quarter-final exit against Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup should not be classed as a failure.
The Kiwis were favourites to move into the last four but slipped to a shock 4-2 loss in Wellington, their second successive defeat after losing to Tonga in their final group game.
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In what was the joint lowest scoring match in the tournament's history, penalties from Apisai Koroisau and Taane Milne were enough to give Fiji their first win over a tier-one nation and end New Zealand's dreams of a second title.
"[We] have to go back and reflect on what we've done in the tournament," Blair told Sky Sport. "It's not a negative for us.
"We're going to build something here and we've got some great young talent coming through.
"Our boys turned up, worked together as a group, and in the end a couple of penalties put them in front.
"You got to give credit to everyone on field. It was a great game to watch."
Fiji face reigning champions Australia next.
