Australia have retained top spot in the rugby league world rankings despite their defeat by New Zealand in the final of the 2014 Four Nations.

However, for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2007, the Kangaroos' position is under threat and they will concede top spot to the Kiwis if Stephen Kearney's men win next year's Anzac Test and beat England on their three-match tour late in 2015.

Roos still top: Josh Mansour of Australia tries to get past New Zealand's Dean Whare during the Four Nations final in Wellington. Credit:Getty Images

"We're very pleased with our progress this year and the Four Nations success was definitely a positive step forward," Kearney said.

"But we face some big challenges in the next 12 months - the Anzac Test against Australia and a tour of England - so we need to have to focus on maintaining and improving our levels of performance.