Racing 92, one of the two participating teams in this weekend’s Natixis Rugby Cup at Siu Sai Wan Stadium, are ready for the challenge posed by Super Rugby champions Highlanders on Saturday (kick-off at 17.00).

Speaking at today’s training session at King’s Park, Racing 92 coach Laurent Travers commented on his expectations from their opponents. “Highlanders are a complete side. They play with a lot of speed and strength and they will pose a tough challenge for us no doubt. We are coming off 17 games in a row coming into Hong Kong, so we have some players that will need to heal up a bit this week, but we are professionals and will go as hard as we can.”

Travers is also keen that the players take advantage of the down time the Tour affords as Racing 92 are currently in the midst of their domestic championship campaign. “It’s always a great time in Hong Kong and we absolutely love it here. Tours like these are a great opportunity for us as a team to get closer with each other.”

Despite their familiarity with the city, the coach is unsure if Racing 92’s previous visits to the city will give them an edge, saying, “It may not be actually a home pitch advantage because I think our boys know some places in Hong Kong that might distract them a bit in their preparations,” laughed Travers.

The French Top 14 league is rapidly becoming rugby’s answer to the English Premiership League in football with its clubs well stocked with superstars from around the world. Racing 92 perhaps have the most recognized name in World Rugby running out in their famed ‘ciel et blanc’ or sky blue and white strip, with former All Black Dan Carter joining the team after winning his second Rugby World Cup with New Zealand.

Another familiar face for Hong Kong fans in the Racing 92 line-up is former All Black winger Joseveta Rokocoko.Rokocoko played at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2002 and returned to the SAR again in 2008 and 2010 as part of the All Blacks squads in the Bledisloe Cups during. He made a fourth appearance here playing for the Barbarians versus the British & Irish Lions in 2013.

“There are a lot of good memories here for me,” said Rokocoko. “My first time in Hong Kong was in 2002 for the Sevens. I was 19 and that was my second tournament ever and I was thrilled to be here. As a kid in Fiji, I remember watching the Hong Kong Sevens and I always followed the Fiji Sevens team. Waisale Serevi was one of my idols growing up and he was still playing in that year so I was fortunate enough to play against a guy I really looked up to.

“Every time I think of Hong Kong I think of that rugby spirit, that carnival atmosphere here. Everyone seems to be enjoying the occasion both in the grandstands and on the field and I think that will be the case with this game as well. Both sides are involved in their domestic competitions, so it is more of an exhibition and you’re likely to see the ball get chucked around a bit more,” added the towering winger who scored 46 tries for New Zealand in 68 appearances.

Racing 92 enter the match in hot form in their domestic competition and currently sit atop the championship table with ten wins against just two losses and a draw.

“We’ve got a bit of buzz and I think it is down to the morale we have in the camp. This team has really got it together and we are gelling well. There are no top guys or bottom guys in the clubhouse, you know everyone is on the same level. A guy like Dan came in and he acted like normal and I think that gets you the respect in the locker room and from the coaches. That team attitude has really been the key to our success in the first part of the season.”

Rokocoko is excited to be playing alongside Carter once again. “Dan is fitting in really well. I guess it helps that there are a few Kiwi boys in the side to show him the ropes but he is enjoying it. And on the pitch, it’s just good mate. I miss him telling me off on the pitch. After our first game together I told him that I missed that and we had a laugh. He said sorry because he is such a calm guy off the field but on the pitch he is in the zone. He’s a great guy to play with.”

Despite playing in what will be their first pre-season match, Rokocoko is under no illusions about the Highlanders form.

“This is their first preseason game and they will be itching. They have been doing some hard preseason work, while we are already coming off a long stretch in our domestic league. The Highlanders guys will be out there wanting to impress their coaches and pushing for starting spots for Super Rugby.

“I’ve already warned the two Fijians boys playing for the Highlanders, Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne, to take it easy on the old Fijian guy. Those are the two guys I have been really impressed with in Super Rugby,” Rokocoko said.

Nearly 6,000 tickets have been sold to date for the match. Tickets for the Natixis Cup can be purchased via www.ticketflap.com up through match day and can also be purchased on the door at Siu Sai Wan.

General admission tickets are $399 while VIP packages, including assigned seating and in-seat Food and Beverage services are $699.To purchase tickets please visit www.ticketflap.com.