Nate Brakeley

Nate Brakeley (born August 31, 1989) is an American rugby union player who plays lock and flanker for Rugby United New York (RUNY) and the United States men's national team. Brakeley also plays for the New York Athletic Club.

Nate Brakeley

Date of birth	(1989-08-31) August 31, 1989
Place of birth	Marblehead, Massachusetts
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	260 lb (120 kg)
School	St. John's Prep
University	Dartmouth College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2011–2012 2012 2014–present Dartmouth College Cambridge University New York Athletic Club         Correct as of April 9, 2018 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2018–present Rugby United New York 20 (5) Correct as of 5 April 2020 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2018–present 2016–present USA Selects United States   23   (5) Correct as of 5 April 2020

Early life

After graduating from St. John's Preparatory School, where he was a member of the school's rugby team, Brakeley attended Dartmouth College.[1] While there, Brakeley was a member of the Dartmouth Rugby team that won Collegiate Rugby Championships in 2011 and 2012.[2] Brakeley also attended Cambridge University, where he earned an MPhil in energy technology.[1] While at Cambridge, Brakeley played for the Cambridge University rugby team and participated in the 2012 Varsity Match—a 26–19 defeat to Oxford.[1] After returning to the United States, Brakeley played for Cambridge's touring team for one match against the Men's Collegiate All-Americans.[3]

Club career

Brakeley joined Rugby United New York (RUNY) for their inaugural season as an associate member of Major League Rugby in 2018.[4] Brakeley started at lock in each of RUNY's three exhibitions against the Ontario Arrows and Boston Mystics in March 2018.[5][6][7]

International career

USA Selects

In September 2018, it was announced that Brakeley had been selected for the USA Selects roster for the 2018 Americas Pacific Challenge.[8]

USA Eagles

Brakeley made his debut with the USA Eagles on February 13, 2016, starting at flanker in the Eagles' 30–22 victory over Canada in the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship.[9][10] Brakeley scored his first try for the Eagles in the Eagles' 52–16 victory over Canada on July 1, 2017, in a qualification match for the 2019 World Cup.[11]

References

1. Georgeson, Andrew (February 24, 2017). "American international Nate Brakeley hails his Cambridge University rugby education". Cambridge News. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
2. "Nate Brakeley". USA Rugby. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
3. DePlacido, Jean (February 24, 2018). "Jean DePacido column: Peabody alum Vieira excelling in weight throw at Worcester State". Salem News. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
4. "2018 Major League Rugby – Rugby United New York". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
5. "New York win historic first match over Ontario". Americas Rugby News. March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
6. "New York blank Boston on historic night in the Bronx". Americas Rugby News. March 25, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
7. "Strong second half leads New York past Boston". Americas Rugby News. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
8. "USA Selects named for Americas Pacific Challenge". Americas Rugby News. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
9. "Clever Hat-Trick Seals win for Eagles". Americas Rugby News. February 14, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
10. "United States of America v Canada at TX". espn.co.uk. ESPN. February 13, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
11. "USA rout Canada, earn World Cup spot". Americas Rugby News. July 1, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2018.