Semesa Rokoduguni

Last updated
LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni
Semesa Rokoduguni 2013 (cropped).jpg
Date of birth (1987-08-28) 28 August 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Nausori, Fiji
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb; 216 lb) [1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2011–2012 British Army ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2012–2022 Bath 194 (355)
2022–2024 US Montauban 45 (50)
2024- Doncaster Knights 0 (0)
Correct as of 5 August 2024
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2014–2017 England 4 (20)
Correct as of 25 November 2017

Lance corporal Semesa "Roko" Rokoduguni (born 28 August 1987) is a professional rugby union player for Doncaster Knights in England RFU Championship, previously playing for English club Bath. Rokoduguni is also an actively serving soldier in the British Army, and notably served in Afghanistan. [2]

Contents

He won four caps for England between 2014 and 2017. Born in Fiji he qualified for England on residency while serving in the Army.

Club career

Lytchett Minster RFC

Rokoduguni joined LMRFC in Feb 2008 while training with the army at Semesa camp.

Rokoduguni played for just over a season playing in the centre where he scored many tries and helped the club gain promotion to Hampshire 1

Army RU

Rokoduguni has represented the Army Rugby Union XV, and German Rugby-Bundesliga team DRC Hannover. He represented the army twice in the 2011-2012 season, scoring four tries against the RAF and three against the Navy.

He has also represented the Army Sevens team in the Middlesex Sevens and the International Defence Sevens, the latter of which was won by the Army.

Bath Rugby

In October 2012, it was announced that Rokoduguni had been signed on a senior contract with Bath after impressing for their second side, Bath United. [3]

Rokoduguni made his debut for the Bath senior team on 10 November 2012, in their LV= Cup match against Newport Gwent Dragons. He scored a try after just 9 minutes, and finished the game with two tries. [4]

In May 2015, Rokoduguni started on the wing as Bath made the Premiership final against Saracens. Although he did not score in the final, he appeared to be through for a chance after a chip and chase before being illegally taking out, off the ball, by Alex Goode. Bath went on to finish runners up, losing 28-16. [5]

Montauban

On 17 June 2022, after 10 years at Bath, Rokoduguni would leave The Rec to join French side Montauban in the Pro D2 competition from the 2022-23 season. [6] He spent two seasons with the South-French side, finishing 13th and 15th, and narrowly staying in the Pro D2 league, beating RC Narbonne 20-19. [7]

Doncaster Knights

On 11th July 2024, Rokoduguni was announced as signing for South Yorkshire rugby club, Doncaster Knights. [8]

International career

In January 2014, he was included in a 25-member England Saxons squad to prepare for the upcoming match against the Irish Wolfhounds. [9]

On 8 November 2014, Rokoduguni made his Test debut for England, losing to New Zealand 21-24 as part of the 2014 Autumn Internationals. [10] He was the first serving British soldier to play for England since Tim Rodber in 1999. [11] In 2015 Rokoduguni was called up into the England Rugby World Cup Squad, after David Strettle completed his move to French-based side Clermont.

International tries

As of 7 July 2019 [12]
TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji London, England Twickenham Stadium 2016 Autumn Internationals 19 November 2016Win58 – 15 [13]
2
3Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina London, England Twickenham Stadium 2017 Autumn Internationals 11 November 2017Win21 – 8 [14]
4Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa London, England Twickenham Stadium 2017 Autumn Internationals 25 November 2017Win48 – 14 [15]

Personal life

Rokoduguni is a sniper of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the British Army. He joined the Army in 2007 [16] and was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick in 2011 where he was attached to 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4SCOTS).

His great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather and father all served in the military.

Semesa's brother, Rupeni Rokoduguni, is also in the British Army serving in Black Watch [17] near Inverness. He also has a similar passion for rugby and currently plays for Highland Rugby Club. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Henson</span> Welsh international rugby union player

Gavin Lloyd Henson is a Welsh former professional rugby union player, who played as a fly-half, fullback and inside centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alesana Tuilagi</span> Rugby player

Alesana "Alex" Tuilagi is a former Samoan rugby player. He is a retired rugby player, currently residing in Fogapoa Savaii and has appeared numerous times for his national team Samoa. He previously played for Parma in Italy and for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership and more recently Newcastle Falcons. As an incredibly strong player, Tuilagi uses his blend of pace and power to good effect, proving a nightmare for many defences. Such a combination of speed and strength makes him very difficult for defences to handle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aled Brew</span> Welsh rugby union player

Aled Brew is a former Wales international rugby union player who played as a winger. He made his debut for the Wales national rugby union team against Ireland in the 2007 Six Nations Championship. In his career, as well as playing for Biarritz Olympique and Bath Rugby, he is one of only a handful of players to have played for all four top-level regional teams in Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Brown (rugby union)</span> England international rugby union player

Mike Brown is an English professional rugby union player who plays fullback or wing for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby. Brown joined the Harlequins senior team in 2005, having played youth rugby at Salisbury and Melksham, and began playing for the England first team two years later. Between 2021–2022 Brown played a season for Newcastle Falcons.

Anitelea "Andy" Tuilagi is a Samoan international rugby union player. His position is either centre or wing. He is part of the famous Tuilagi rugby family, with his older brothers Henry, Freddie, Alesana, and younger brothers Vavae and Manu all also having played international rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Wilson (rugby union, born 1985)</span> England international rugby union player

David George Wilson is a former English rugby union player. A tighthead prop, he played for Newcastle Falcons and Bath and represented England at two World Cups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Pennell</span> England international rugby union player

Chris Pennell is an English rugby union player. He currently plays for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership and also for the Dallas Jackals of Major League Rugby (MLR). He plays as a fullback or wing if needed. He's a former captain of Worcester, and currently resides in Worcester with his young family. Pennell is also an ambassador for type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at nineteen years old. He has played for England, earning 1 cap in 2014.

Dean Richards is a rugby union coach and former player for Leicester Tigers, England and British & Irish Lions. He was most recently the Director of Rugby at Newcastle Falcons, a position he held for ten years between 2012 and 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Sharples</span> Rugby player

Charlie Sharples is a former English rugby union footballer, who last played in the Aviva Premiership for Gloucester. He plays as a wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vereniki Goneva</span> Fijian rugby union player (born 1984)

Vereniki Goneva is a Fijian rugby union footballer who plays for Mont-de-Marsan in France's Pro D2, the second division. He plays as a centre or wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Ford (rugby union)</span> England international rugby union footballer

George Thomas Ford is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonny May</span> England international rugby union player

Jonathan James May is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême and formerly for the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Waller</span> English rugby union player

Alexander Marshall Waller is a rugby union player for Premiership side Northampton Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olly Woodburn</span> English rugby union player

Olly Woodburn is an English rugby union player. He plays for Exeter Chiefs. His regular playing positions are wing and centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michele Campagnaro</span> Italian rugby union player

Michele Campagnaro is a former Italian rugby union player. He represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Fiji during the 2013 Autumn Internationals.

The 2013–14 LV Cup is the 43rd season of England's national rugby union cup competition, and the ninth to follow the Anglo-Welsh format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Hughes</span> Rugby player

Nathan William Jeremy Hughes is a professional rugby union player who is currently playing in the Japan Rugby League One side Ricoh Black Rams having left Bristol Bears in 2022. Born in Fiji he qualified to play for England on residency and won 22 caps between 2016 and 2019, however due to the amendment in international selection by the WRU, Hughes hopes to participate in the France 2023 RWC for his home nation. He plays as a flanker, a number 8 or at lock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Ewels</span> England international rugby union player

Charlie Ewels is an English professional rugby union player who plays at lock for Premiership club Bath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Bulumakau</span> Fijian rugby union player

Junior Bulumakau is a Fijian born Scotland Rugby Union 7's player who plays for Coventry Rugby Club. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors. and Doncaster Knights. His normal position is on the Wing but he can also play Full Back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Cokanasiga</span> England international rugby union player

Joe Cokanasiga is a professional rugby union player for the England national rugby union team. He plays wing for Bath, having previously represented London Irish. He helped his former team win promotion from the RFU Championship in 2016–17 season to the English Premiership for the 2017–18 season.

References

  1. ↑ "Bath Rugby Official Website - 1st XV squad - Semesa Rokoduguni".
  2. ↑ Jason Le Miere (6 November 2014). "New Zealand Vs. England Rugby 2014: Live Stream Details, Preview And Kickoff Time For Saturday's International". IBT. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Army star joins Bath Rugby" (Press release). 26 Oct 2012.
  4. ↑ "BBC Sport - LV= Cup: Bath 36-15 Newport Gwent Dragons". BBC Sport.
  5. ↑ "Aviva Premiership Rugby Final: Bath Rugby 16 Saracens 28". Aviva Premiership Rugby. Internet Archive WayBackMachine / Aviva Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "England international Semesa Rokoduguni has found a new club". Ruck.co.uk. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "Narbonne - Montauban 19:20". www.flashscore.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  8. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  9. ↑ "England Saxons make Bath's army man Semesa Rokoduguni a new recruit - Sport - The Guardian" . Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  10. ↑ "Semesa Rokoduguni England debut". ESPN scrum. 8 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Ben Dirs (6 November 2014). "Semesa Rokoduguni: Fijian British Army soldier answers England call". BBC Sport.
  12. ↑ "Semesa Rokoduguni". 7 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "England score nine tries as they beat Fiji 58-15 at Twickenham". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  14. ↑ "Autumn international: England 21-8 Argentina". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  15. ↑ "Autumn international: England 48-14 Samoa". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  16. ↑ "Soldier to play for the England Rugby team". army.mod.uk. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  17. ↑ Cary, Tom (2014-11-06). "Semesa Rokoduguni: from Fiji to Twickenham via war in Afghanistan". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  18. ↑ Chalk, Paul. "Highland chasing third straight home victory against basement visitors Boroughmuir". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.