Sport | Rugby
Roques is hoping to help Samurai win International Invitation event
After fearing that he would never play rugby again, Tony Roques is on the comeback trail and hoping to help St Georges Samurai win the International Invitation event.
- By Steve Hill, Correspondent
- Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
- England outplayed Scotland 38-0 during their Dubai Rugby Sevens game.
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Dubai: After fearing that he would never play rugby again, Tony Roques is on the comeback trail and hoping to help St Georges Samurai win the International Invitation event.
The 28-year-old former member of the England sevens squad was out of the game for 14 months after suffering a shocking leg injury while playing for Exeter Chiefs.
Five operations were needed to repair the damage followed by months of intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation work with John Moore. And 'Rocky', a Dubai winner with England two years ago, now hopes to stay on target for a return to the full squad thanks to his performances for the Samurai who act as a second string for the national side.
He said: "Part of my leg was smashed into hundreds of pieces, and my wife was told at one point that I would be lucky to walk properly again so I've come a long way.
"I'm never going to take my fitness for granted again and will enjoy every moment because I know that it could end at any second." Roques made all his experience count as Samurai squeezed into the semi-finals with a 19-17 victory over Steelers who could have taken the game into extra time had they landed a difficult conversion in the final seconds. Tom Hockedy also made a big impact for Samurai, pulling off a try-saving tackle in one corner just before the break and then popping up in the other for a crucial score soon after the restart. Samurai now face Moscow-based VVA Podmoskovje who edged out KooGa Wailers 20-12.
In the other half of the draw, Kentz Drifters rallied from conceding an early try to hold off Borneo Eagles 14-5.
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