Scotland coach Andy Robinson feels the future is bright for his side despite their disappointing World Cup campaign.
The Scots are heading home bar a Georgia miracle against Argentina on Sunday after slumping to a 16-12 loss to England in Auckland.
All things being equal Robinson will be in charge for the 2015 World Cup and he does not think they are too far away.
He said: "I think the ambition's there to play. Sometimes there's playing in the right areas of the pitch and understanding how to do that.
"It's getting all 15 players able to work together and it's coming, but it's going to take a little bit more time.
"Everybody's going to be hugely upset, particularly if you're supporting Scotland, about what's happened.
"We've got to be able to understand that, learn the lessons about what we're trying to do and still improve the way we're playing the game, which is ball in hand.
"We're working hard to develop that."
Scotland had previously never failed to make the knockout stages of a World Cup in its six editions to date.