Following a bull-riding accident when he was 15, Rodney decided to give up rodeoing and concentrate on rugby league as the "safer" option.[3] A Penrith junior with Riverstone and Emu Plains JRLFC, in 2002 Rodney was selected to play for the New South Wales under-19 squad.
As 2003 NRL premiers, the Penrith club travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Rodney played from the interchange bench in the Penrith's 22–4 loss. Also in 2004 Rodney was selected to represent for City in that year's City vs Country Origin match.
Injured in round 23, 2006, Rodney did not return to the NRL playing field until June, 2008. He underwent surgery on his ankle, spine and had two shoulder reconstructions.[4]
Rodney won a second premiership as part of Manly's victorious 2011 NRL Grand Final squad. He, along with Joe Galuvao have played in the same premiership team twice, Galuvao being Rodney's teammate in Penrith's victorious 2003 NRL Grand Final squad.