Chile, ranked one place above Hong Kong at No 23 in the global standings, made their World Cup debuts last year. The national team has benefited from its union entering a domestic franchise, Selknam, into the South American championship.

And Douglas would be keen for Hong Kong to replicate that arrangement by placing a team in the Japanese top division.

“It is a model world rugby is promoting, and could fit us in future,” he said. “A number of franchise teams have helped counties succeed. Japan is the closest professional league, so the easiest for travel. It is something we need to dig into further.”

Equally, the New Zealander is keen for the Hong Kong Premiership to emerge “strong and healthy” from a “rebuilding stage”.

He acknowledged the domestic league was not equipped to produce leading international performers, and wanted “clear pathways” to encourage Hong Kong-qualified players to return to the city after studying overseas.

Thoughts of the future have been parked for now, however.

“This match is a true test, and will give us a strong benchmark of where we are, and how to build for the future,” Douglas said. “The Latin American countries have passionate players and fans, and are strong at home.”

Hong Kong had a week-long Australian camp in April, which concluded with a 65-0 loss to the ‘A’ team of Super Rugby club ACT Brumbies.

“Even though we were heavily beaten, realising the intensity we had to match sparked new enlightenment in the players,” Douglas said.

“They understood that if they kept playing at that level, they could match it. It was a reminder they need to train as they want to play, and conditioning has been tough [preparing for South America].

“Tougher matches over the past couple of months would have been good, you want to face opponents who are better than you, but you can only play what is in front of you.”

Hong Kong also meet Paraguay and Brazil, world ranked 38 and 29, respectively, over the next fortnight. Douglas said he was “happy to play Chile first”, and hoped to exploit the hosts’ lack of action since September’s World Cup.

He is acutely aware of South American chagrin over the continent’s World Cup quota, however.

“If one continent is not happy with that proposition, it is South America,” Douglas said. “I am sure they don’t need any additional motivation, playing their first Test this year, in front of their home fans, but it is probably the case [Chile have a point to prove], yes.

“We are concentrating on ourselves, working out what they will do, and how to combat that.”

Hong Kong will be hot favourites to retain their ARC title next year, which could also bring qualification for the World Cup.

Douglas though rejected fears that Hong Kong would cruelly exposed on the global stage, and said the team needed “to take the step at some stage”.

“Rugby needs more viewership, and more people playing,” Douglas said. “What a great way to do that, through Hong Kong, China, and Southeast Asia.

“I can guarantee we would have players 100 per cent committed to being the best they can, which goes a long way.

“It is what we all want, and I would be confident of putting out a team that is competitive, and proud of what we’re doing.”