An emotional NZ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is beaming with pride, after his team's heartbreaking loss to Australia in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals at Leeds.
New Zealand were on the verge of a stunning upset of the reigning champions, but fell to an agonising 16-14 defeat to end their title hopes.
Maguire was visibly moved in the post-match interview, as he revealed where he felt it went wrong for his side.
"Fair bit of emotion at the moment," he said. "Moments in games - they win you test matches and unfortunately we didn't capitalise on a couple of them there, when we actually had it.
"We just couldn't manage it. I've got so much belief in our players, we had it in either of the corners - what could have been, but unfortunately for us tonight, it just wasn't to be."
Despite the loss, the world No.1 Kiwis gave a good account of themselves, pushing the much-fancied Kangaroos to the brink of elimination.
Maguire believes the performance proved there is almost nothing between the two rival nations and the Kiwis will look to build on the result.
"It's done now, we can't look back," he said. "The result is the result, but it was a game… it was there.
"One thing I do know now is that the boys have closed the gap. They've closed the gap between where we've been and where we are as a group now, and it could've gone our way, but unfortunately the bounce of the ball there."
"We were right in that corner, right there... it was there, so the gap between the teams, I believe it has closed immensely, and we just got to keep pushing forward now and close it even more.
"I'm really proud of my players and it's gutting. I'm absolutely gutted for my players, because of the amount of work they've been doing for a long period of time.
"They've been so devoted to be able to change the jersey for a better place and I believe they have done that.
"We didn't get the result we would've liked, but as I said, they're getting better... and one thing about a lot of the boys is that they're actually the best players within their clubs. The more they get out of that and the more big games we play, the experience comes and the bounce of that ball will go our way."
Catch the Rugby League World Cup live on Spark Sport and free-to-air on Three
