Anton Segner stands on the cusp of rugby history. If the 24-year-old takes the field as a substitute in Saturday’s Nations Championship game against Italy, he will become the first athlete born in Germany to represent the All Blacks.
Raised in Frankfurt, Segner developed a deep passion for the sport as a young boy after being introduced to it by English friends. His fascination with New Zealand culture grew quickly; he learned the haka from online videos and even requested traditional meat pies at home. His father, Tim, noted that his son immersed himself fully in the Kiwi lifestyle during his childhood.
At age 15, Segner relocated to New Zealand to attend Nelson College, a school renowned for its rugby pedigree. He worked his way through the national age-grade system before securing a professional contract with the Auckland-based Blues. He noted that rugby in New Zealand holds the same cultural significance as football does in Germany.
Segner’s path mirrors that of Fabian Holland, who moved from the Netherlands to Christchurch as a teenager and made his international debut in 2025 before being named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has adjusted his lineup for the upcoming match, incorporating five changes following last week’s tight win over France. Segner is listed among the replacements for the fixture in Christchurch.
