Born near village of Come-By-Chance, Bonavista. Mount Pearl Senior High School. Played National Junior Ice Hockey in Canada. Played for Newfoundland Dogs, St John's Pirates, Eastern Province South Africa, Canada (played all 3 front row positions on debut), Barbarians (vs Wales 1996 Lost 10 v 31) and World XV vs Argentina 1999. Favourite moment was scoring try vs Rumania in 1995 World Cup in South Africa.
Rod first played for Newport Combined U21/ Utd side at Chepstow 11th November 1995 packing down with David Waters. Newport RFC debut vs Pontypridd at tight-head (WL) at Rodney Parade 6th January 1996 (Lost 29 v 30). Second match vs Ystradgynlais in Welsh Cup 20th January 1996 scoring 2tries in 49 v 5 win. Also played No 6 at Ebbw Vale 20th April 1996 (Lost 27 v 12). Nicknamed 'Cod' due to mixture of First Nations and Newfoundland. Played 190 times for Newport scoring 30tries. 1 appearance as replacement in 2003-04 (at Aberavon, 9th May 2004, Won 26 v 33) and 1 vs Swansea (at Rodney Parade, 23rd April 2005 Won 29 v 20).Testimonial match at Rodney Parade 21st May 2005.
61 caps by end 2008 scoring 8 tries. Debut 10th March 1995 vs Argentina. 50th cap vs Argentina 31st August 2003. 54th cap vs Tonga 29th October 2003. Nickname: Snowy.
Arranged pre season fixture at Rodney Parade with Newport RFC for The Rock Newfoundland, 1st August 2009 (Lost 49 v 21). Officially accepted position of Honorary Vice Patron of Friends of Newport Rugby Trust at after-match ceremony.