The Knights will begin their tilt at the Emerging Nations World Cup crown with a clash against The Philippines at Windsor on Monday, with McDonald approaching 12 months in the coaching role.

The noted development coach has rebuilt the Eagles to the edge of finals contention in three years at Berkeley, but said bringing a squad of 30 players from all over the country and abroad together has been a new coaching test.

“Short-term coaching’s very different to long-term coaching,” McDonald said.

“It’s intense and it’s a lot of work but it’s only a short period and seeing people represent their country and seeing how much it means to the players and to their families is really satisfying.

“To use [halfback] Justin Rodrigues as an example, to see his grandparents and how happy they are to see him play for Malta it’s a different type of satisfaction.

“It’s a bit of a cliche I suppose but it’s great to give back to the game and help develop the game in a country where it’s not a major sport.”

McDonald’s 31-man squad for tournament includes Wests Devils premiership-winning No. 7 Rodrigues along with Collegians skipper Blake Phillips and Helensburgh back-rower Kyal Greene.

The squad also includes Warilla-Lake South pair Ian Catania and Emanuel Sultana, Jamberoo’s Jono Dallas and Nowra-Bomaderry’s Nathan Falzon.

McDonald won’t have his full squad on deck on Monday for the first pool match but will be boosted by Phillips and London Broncos star Jarrod Sammut in their second pool match with Niue on Thursday.

“We’re in good shape, I think we’re a bit more settled now as a squad,” McDonald said.

“They know me a bit more and I know them a bit more. It’s good to go into camp over the weekend and get some quality work in that you don’t often get to do. It’s that short-term coaching, quick turnarounds you just need to try and gel the boys as fast as you can.

“We want to spend some quality time together as a group and enjoy each other’s company and at the same time put some simple processes in place in order for us to play well.”

McDonald said the Knights will head into the tournament with a complete focus on claiming the major silverware. 

“I’ll be disappointed if we’re not in the final,” McDonald said.

“On the other side of the draw you’ve got Greece who will certainly be thereabouts but we are definitely hoping to go deep into the tournament. We’ve got The Philippines and Niue will be a tough challenge. They’ll have some big boys and NSW Cup experience. 

“The first goal is obviously to finish top of our pool and get through to the semis but our expectations as a squad are to be in that last game and then anything can happen once you’re there.”