The Kiwis' 18-16 loss to England was a brutal reality check for coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire's men led for much of the match, but ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard when the final whistle blew.
They were ahead 16-14 with 12 minutes left, when English rookie Oliver Gildart raced almost 50m at KC Stadium, stepping past Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to score the match-winning try.
It was a tough result for New Zealand, who will rue their ill discipline and poor execution late in the contest.
They were on the wrong side of a 9-5 penalty count and struggled to find the form that saw them beat Australia two weeks ago in Auckland.
Maguire said he was excited to see how his players bounce back next week in Liverpool.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing how the boys do respond," Maguire said. "We're learning about each other all the time.
"This group has come together in a really strong manner and it's about how we face these sorts of little hurdles.
"It was two points in that game. That's what a test match is all about - finding that at the end of a game in a tight match.
"I've got a lot of quality out there. Whoever walks out on that field with a New Zealand jersey on, there's an expectation and this group is building that."
Maguire refused to blame the loss on the penalty try awarded to England just before halftime.
England centre Jake Connor was awarded the penalty try, as Kiwis fullback and captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak came across in defence, leading with his knees in a point-scoring opportunity.
Instead of heading into the sheds leading 12-6, the scores were locked up at 12-12.
"I'd have to have another look at it," Maguire said. "It's one of those moments in a game you've got to be able to handle and get through.
"There were other times there where we could have hung onto the ball or held an offload. Those are the sorts of things we need to get better at as a group.
"They're very marginal calls on all those, but you've got to make sure you get them in your favour."
Watene-Zelezniak was frustrated at the time, but later accepted the referee's decision.
"I'm trying anything and everything to save the try," Watene-Zelezniak said. "If that's how they see it, then those are the rules and we have to deal with it."
"When you leave it in the ref's hands, you know you're not doing well, so we've got a lot of work to do, and hopefully we'll come back bigger and better next week."
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