New Zealand coach David Kidwell insists his job shouldn't be under threat despite his side's underwhelming performances in the Four Nations.
Kidwell, who replaced Steve Kearney in September, has won only one of his first five matches in charge and watched his side sink to a poor 34-8 loss in the Four Nations final against Australia at Anfield.
After losing his first match in Perth to the Kangaroos, Kidwell won his second against England before tasting defeat again to Mal Meninga's side at Coventry and then being held to a shock draw by tournament minnows Scotland.
It took 55 minutes for the Kiwis, who have surrendered their world No.1 ranking to Australia, to score at Anfield in a hugely disappointing performance.
"Our errors that cost us in the first half, we ended up completing below 50 per cent," Kidwell said.
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"To do that in any game, never mind a final against a team like Australia it's going to be tough.
Kidwell's decision to go with the more defensively minded Tohu Harris instead of the prodigiously talented, but inexperienced Te Maire Martin, backfired with his side relying on the overburdened Shaun Johnson for any flashes of creativity.
"I don't think so, " Kidwell said when asked if his job was under threat.
"This is my first tour and I have learned a lot but I have said to the boys we need to get back our belief and that starts with our hard work and doing those little things in games that really count."
Johnson said he was bitterly disappointed by the defeat but heaped credit on Meninga's side
"We made too many errors and we played a very hot Australian side today ... I can't fault our preparation," Johnson said.
"The players still have faith in David Kidwell and the coaching staff. It's hard because your coach delivers you your game plan and the things you need to focus on.
"You have to give Australia credit ... you give them all the ball that we did, you can't argue."
