New Zealand fly-half/fullback Caleb Makene played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2025. He represented the Utah Warriors (2022-2024) and the NOLA Gold (2025).

A former New Zealand U20 player, Makene brings plenty of experience to Utah, having represented the Tasman Mako (2016), Canterbury (2017-2018), and Hawke’s Bay (2019-) at the NPC level, and a cap for each the Crusaders and the Highlanders at the Super Rugby level. Since 2022, Makene has scored 12 tries and 98pts in his 44 MLR caps (all starts) since joining the Warriors.

5 of Makene’s tries came in the 2023 season where he also gained 1317m, placing him 5th in the league in this category. He recorded another 1000m+ gained season in 2024, with 1,021m gained in 12 games, finishing just outside the top 10 in Meters Gained, and scored 3 tries. Makene was a standout on a Utah Warriors side that struggled to find consistency in 2024, falling just outside the playoffs with a 5-11 record. In early September, 2024, the Utah Warriors included Makene in an announcement of 17 players departing the Warriors following the 2024 season. On November 17th, 2024, the NOLA Gold announced the addition of Caleb Makene for the 2025 MLR season. A stand out with Utah, Warriors fans will be wondering why the team couldn’t keep him.

Achievements:

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 12
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 8
• 3rd in MLR Metres Gained: 2023 (1,317m)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 15
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 13
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 12
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 2