Keeping emotional balance a key for Canada at home rugby sevens tournament
VANCOUVER — Nathan Hirayama says he could feel the raw passion as fans roared their collective approval every time the hosts stepped on the pitch at last year’s inaugural Canada Sevens rugby tournament.
And when they scored? Ear-splitting.
“The energy out there, the home-field thing — it’s a real thing,” said Hirayama. “If you can use it to your advantage it can really help you.”
The Canadians credit the throng at B.C. Place Stadium with spurring them onto victory in the Bowl final against France — Hirayama booted the clinching points after a late John Moonlight try — to salvage a ninth-place finish in 2016.