It wasn't the World Cup campaign New Zealand wanted, but two Kiwis think it will help their games go to another level and help return the Canberra Raiders to the NRL finals.
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Both Jordan Rapana and Joe Tapine have had a week of pre-season training to settle back into life with the Green Machine after both excelled in black and white in the off-season.
Rapana was one of the most potent wingers in the NRL over the past two seasons, with his finishing just part of the overall package that also included an insatiable work ethic.
But in a warning to the other NRL teams, the Raiders flyer feels his time on the international stage has made him even better.
Rapana's scored 44 tries during the last two seasons, with only Melbourne winger Suliasi Vunivalu (46) scoring more.
He added there was a determination and resolve amongst the Canberra camp to atone for last season with a much better 2018 campaign.
"For me to even be in a World Cup is an awesome achievement and to be a part of that Kiwi squad was a great honour," Rapana said.
"Experience is very important and to play alongside some of the players the Kiwis have, I definitely learnt a lot and looking forward to hopefully being able to put that black jersey on again.
"Everyone's determined. We want to win that premiership and last year wasn't our best season, but I think the boys have taken that - I wouldn't say anger - but want to go out and prove a point this year."
It was a similar story for Tapine, who was one of the highlights for the Kiwis in a World Cup run that saw Fiji knock them out in the quarter-finals - ending their campaign two games short of an expected final appearance.
The 23-year-old said going into the tournament he needed to "step up" and he delivered in spades, with a man-of-the-match performance against Samoa in New Zealand's World Cup opener.
He showed his potential for the Raiders last season with his effort against South Sydney covering the suspended Josh Papalii a highlight.
Now Tapine, who said he was fully recovered from a knee injury he suffered in the World Cup, wanted to use that time on the international stage to make performances like that a habit.
"I learnt a lot and I've got to try and bring that kind of game to the Raiders, [and] keep that consistent footy and just trying to play as hard as I can for every match for the year," he said.
Tapine came to the Raiders from Newcastle as a second rower, but has spent most of his time in lime green playing in the middle.
He relished the chance to play on the edge last season and wanted to spend more time there.
It's an area where the Raiders have plenty of depth, with Josh Papalii and Elliott Whitehead both world-class second rowers, while versatile veteran Sia Soliola can play there as well.
But he wants to establish himself in the Canberra 13 this season.
"Yeah definitely. The World Cup gave me a lot of confidence that I could play that second-row position and I played a couple of 80-minute performances," Tapine said.
"It's given me confidence and I'm going to train as hard as I can to get a starting position.
"But it's going to be tough, you've got a lot of good boys in all the positions, so I've got to work as hard as everyone else.
"I'm pushing for edge. I'm comfortable there now and I've played some footy there. I'm going to try and push for edge, but I'm happy wherever I'm needed."
