Bermuda's 65-8 loss to Chile in their rugby World Cup qualifier on Saturday may seem nigh on humiliation, but there is another figure which tells the full story.

That's Chile 120 Bermuda 4.

That refers to the number of clubs the respective countries were able select their teams from. And that really shows what the Island is up against when it comes to trying to rub shoulders with those even a couple of notches below the best in the world.

But coach Peter Shillingford, back at his day job as an executive with the Bermuda Telephone Company just hours after a wearing day-long journey from Santiago, remains optimistic that the game can grow and begin winning new converts.

"One thing that did show up was the competitiveness of the Chileans,'' he said. "It is difficult to play against those sides that have so many people playing the game. And on a small island such as this there are so many different sports to choose from.

"But the game is becoming more popular and a couple of good performances in the World Rugby Classic will help.'' The squad's lengthy journey home gave Shillingford plenty of time to reflect on the performance and what upset him most was the side's failure to play somewhere near their best.

"Obviously it was always going to be a difficult task down there,'' he said, "but what was disappointing was that we really didn't play to our full potential.

"Most of the boys, collectively and individually, were disappointed with their performances.'' But, he added, "We've got to bounce back from this and look to the future.

There are quite a few players coming to the end of their careers and we need an influx of new ones. There are a few coming through.'' At least two of those new faces will appear in a squad of 23 for next month's Classic here -- a squad which largely keeps faith with the 21 who travelled to Chile. But injuries may also play a part.

Ross Webber, forced off after 20 minutes of Saturday's game with a knee injury, goes into hospital today for arthroscopic surgery to discover the extent of the damage. He is certain to be a non-starter, even if it proves to be only a cartilage rather than ligament problem.

Scott Correia, who has been struggling for some time with a hamstring problem and Sean Field, who has a thigh strain, are also doubtful.

Come the Caribbean championships at the end of November and a rebuilding programme could be in full flight. With the qualification period for that competition residency of six months rather than three years, more players on the fringes of the national squad will come into contention.

"A few younger players will become eligible,'' Shillingford agreed. "And that may be the time to blood some new people.'' The first opportunity to impress comes this weekend as the domestic season gets under way.

Joe Stanley has withdrawn from the All Blacks squad for the Classic because he will be in Ireland watching his son make his debut for the current New Zealand side.

Otherwise there is just one new face among the 23 names. Former All Blacks captain Buck Shelford, who played 22 times for his country between 1986 and 1990, will join a team hoping to make it four titles in a row.