New Zealand have given coach Gary Kemble a vote of confidence by confirming his appointment to the end of the 2008 World Cup in Australia.

Kemble's position was in jeopardy after the Kiwis suffered a record 58-0 defeat to Australia in his opening match in October and went on to be whitewashed 3-0 by Great Britain.

But he got off the mark when New Zealand beat France 22-14 in Paris and his position was reaffirmed following a review of the Kiwis' tour.

"Gary has the board's support to continue as coach through to the World Cup, as he was contracted to do when he was appointed," said Ray Haffenden, who succeeded Andrew Chalmers as NZRL chairman at the end of the tour.

"In beginning our review of the tour today, our focus was on the head coach's job and, after considering reports, we have stayed with the status quo."

The former Hull and New Zealand full-back was appointed in mid-August as the successor to Brian McClennan, the newly-appointed Leeds coach.

"The Test against Australia and the following tour to Britain and France provided a difficult assignment for everyone involved," said Kemble.

"While results didn't go the way we hoped, I have always wanted to continue in the role.

"There's much work to be done and I'm confident the Kiwis will perform well in next year's Centenary Test against Australia and then in the World Cup."

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