Nate Brakeley Reaches 50 Caps

On Sunday, June 19th, Nate Brakeley became the twenty-fifth player in Major League Rugby to appear in 50 matches. Brakeley, lock and flanker, began playing rugby during his Frehsman year at St John's Prep in Marblehead, Massachusetts, while also playing football. He continued his rugby career at Dartmouth where he won two Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s titles in 2011 and 2012.

Photo by: @alexwohlphotography / Rugby New York

He continued his education at Cambridge University earning his Masters in Energy Technology while playing for Cambridge University RFC, gaining his Varsity Blue against Oxford. Upon returning to the US, Brakeley started playing for the New York Athletic Club in 2013 winning the Division I Club National Championship in 2015.

Photo by: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images / Rugby New York

He joined the MLR in 2019 and has been a cornerstone for Rugby New York serving as Captain in 2022. He was selected to the MLR's First Team All Selection in 2019 and 2022 and as 2 career tries. Major League Rugby is honoring the first 50 players to reach 50 caps, and their role in building the legacy of MLR. The latest of the first twenty-four players to reach 50 caps for MLR includes Ross Deacon and Connor Cook of Rugby ATL, and Paul Ciulini of Toronto Arrows. Stay tuned for more announcements as players reach the 50 caps milestone, and cement their spot in Major League Rugby’s history.