The B.C. Bears have bolstered their lineup for Saturday's game back east against the Ontario Blues with the addition of three national team players including Nathan Hirayama.
The Richmond native returns to the Bears line-up for the first-time this season, along with Sean White and Harry Jones, after a busy summer helping Canada qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as well as representing their country in the Pacific Nations Cup and 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup.
Jones and Hirayama will be welcomed additions to the roster, especially due to the fact that leading scorers and kickers Pat Kay (UVic Vikes) and Connor Braid (James Bay) are unable to travel due to injuries.
"It's great to have these guys back and involved in the program as they bring experience," said Bears head coach Jim Dixon. "They have played at a level of intensity that's required to win big fixtures and there will be a lot of pressure on our program to win in Ontario this weekend."
The Bears recently fell 11-7 against the Blues in a defensive battle in Langford. The home side had plenty of possession but were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities when they presented themselves. "We need to be more accurate on our attack and unfortunately Ontario won the contest at the breakdown in that game," Dixon added. "Our defence as a whole has been good but lapses have cost us tries and we need to make sure we are switched on all the time, especially when facing a side like Ontario."
The Bears will head to rugby hotbed Lindsay with the goal of handing the Blues their first loss of the season. The roster will be without the services of Rugby World
Cup veteran Adam Kleeberger but will have plenty of experience with cappedforward Aaron Flagg (Abbotsford RFC) and Canada-A and Sevens speedster Sean Ferguson (UBC Thunderbirds) in the back line. Meraloma standout Callum Morrison will captain the Bears for the third straight match.
"We're going there to win the game," added Dixon. "We have improved over the first three games and we came very close winning our last one against them a couple weekends ago. Now the expectation is to take things a step further."
