.jpg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1987-08-28)28 August 1987 (age 38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 98 kg (15 st 6 lb; 216 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lance corporalSemesa "Roko" Rokoduguni (born 28 August 1987) is a professionalrugby union player forDoncaster Knights in EnglandRFU Championship, previously playing for English clubBath. Rokoduguni is also an actively serving soldier in theBritish Army, and notablyserved in Afghanistan.[2]
He won four caps forEngland between 2014 and 2017. Born in Fiji he qualified for England on residency while serving in the Army.
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
Rokoduguni has represented theArmy Rugby Union XV, and GermanRugby-Bundesliga teamDRC Hannover. He represented the army twice in the 2011-2012 season, scoring four tries against the RAF and three against theNavy.
He has also represented the Army Sevens team in theMiddlesex Sevens and the International Defence Sevens, the latter of which was won by the Army.
In October 2012, it was announced that Rokoduguni had been signed on a senior contract withBath after impressing for their second side, Bath United.[3]
Rokoduguni made his debut for the Bath senior team on 10 November 2012, in theirLV= Cup match againstNewport 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 thePremiership final againstSaracens. Although he did not score in the final, he appeared to be through for a chance after a chip and chase before being illegally taken out, off the ball, byAlex Goode. Bath went on to finish runners up, losing 28-16.[5]
On 17 June 2022, after 10 years at Bath, Rokoduguni would leave The Rec to join French sideMontauban in thePro 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, beatingRC Narbonne 20-19.[7]
On 11 July 2024, Rokoduguni was announced as signing for South Yorkshire rugby club,Doncaster Knights.[8]
In January 2014, he was included in a 25-memberEngland Saxons squad to prepare for the upcoming match against theIrish Wolfhounds.[9]
On 8 November 2014, Rokoduguni made his Test debut forEngland, losing toNew Zealand 21-24 as part of the2014 Autumn Internationals.[10] He was the first serving British soldier to play for England sinceTim Rodber in 1999.[11]In 2015 Rokoduguni was called up into the England Rugby World Cup Squad, afterDavid Strettle completed his move to French-based side Clermont.
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Fiji | London,England | Twickenham Stadium | 2016 Autumn Internationals | 19 November 2016 | Win | 58 – 15[13] |
| 2 | |||||||
| 3 |  Argentina | London,England | Twickenham Stadium | 2017 Autumn Internationals | 11 November 2017 | Win | 21 – 8[14] |
| 4 |  Samoa | London,England | Twickenham Stadium | 2017 Autumn Internationals | 25 November 2017 | Win | 48 – 14[15] |
Rokoduguni is a sniper of theRoyal Scots Dragoon Guards in the British Army. He joined the Army in 2007[16] and was deployed to Afghanistan as part ofOperation Herrick in 2011 where he was attached to4th 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 inBlack Watch[17] near Inverness. He also has a similar passion for rugby and currently plays forHighland Rugby Club.[18]