Segner Set to Make History as First German-Born All Black
Anton Segner, the uncapped back row player, is on track to become the first German-born All Black if he takes the field off the bench in New Zealand's Nations Championship match against Italy on Saturday.
Born in Frankfurt, Segner developed a passion for rugby and the All Blacks after being introduced to the sport by two English schoolfriends. He joined a local rugby club coached by New Zealanders and embraced Kiwi culture, requesting his parents to make him pies and performing a haka, which he learned from YouTube, at a school Christmas concert.
"Talk like a Kiwi, eat like a Kiwi, dress like a Kiwi,"
said Segner's father Tim about his son's upbringing in an interview with Stuff last month.
At age 15, Segner relocated to New Zealand to attend Nelson College, a state school known for producing numerous All Blacks. He advanced through New Zealand's age-grade teams before securing a contract with the Auckland-based Super Rugby team, the Blues.
"I've experienced it first hand that rugby in New Zealand is like football [soccer] in Germany,"
Segner said.
"It's a rugby-crazy country and that's all I wanted. To make this squad now is definitely a dream come true."
Following a Path Similar to Fabian Holland
While Segner is set to become the first German-born All Black, his journey mirrors that of Fabian Holland, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. Inspired by a New Zealand Sevens training camp at his local club, Holland aimed to become an All Black, moved to Christchurch at 16, and debuted for New Zealand against France in July 2025. He was named World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year in December.
Team Changes and Match Preview
Coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to the starting lineup following last weekend's narrow 34-32 victory over France, including the inclusion of flanker Wallace Sititi.
Ruben Love retains the fly-half position after making his first Test start in the Christchurch win.
New Zealand's lineup for the match against Italy is as follows:
Starting XV: McKenzie; Jordan, Proctor, Barrett, Carter; Love, Roigard; de Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Darry, Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Savea.
Replacements: Taukei'aho, Bower, Tosi, Lord, Segner, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, Moorby.
