After leading Rugby New York to their first ever Major League Rugby title in 2022, club captain Nate Brakeley has committed to a fifth professional campaign with the club. The USA international has been with the organization since their inception in 2018.
Brakeley was again a towering figure in New York’s engine room this past season, playing in 16 games with 14 starts. He has now made 51 MLR appearances for the club and has been consistently among the league’s top second row performers.
New York will have an array of talent to choose from at lock in 2023. Brakeley is joined by Charlie Hewitt as confirmed returnees, with Nick Civetta also expected to continue. A pair of New Zealanders have joined in the off-season, Hamish Dalzell from Auckland and Brad Tucker from Seattle. In addition, USA u23 select Bill Whiteside was selected in the Collegiate Draft.