Anton Segner set to become first Germany-born All Black in New Zealand's match against Italy

Anton Segner is set to become the first player born in Germany to play for the New Zealand All Blacks when he makes his debut off the bench against Italy in the second round of rugby's Nations Championship on Saturday.

The 24-year-old backrower from the Auckland-based Blues was selected by head coach Dave Rennie among 11 changes to the lineup that beat France 34-32 in the tournament opener; five of those changes are in the starting lineup. Segner will make his debut along with winger Josh Moorby.

Born in Frankfurt, Segner moved to New Zealand at age 15 in 2017 as an exchange student on an intended six-month stay. He attended Nelson College, the country's oldest secondary school, which was involved in the first rugby match in New Zealand in 1870 and has produced 23 All Blacks. He later led the under-20 team of the Christchurch-based Crusaders and played for the Tasman Makos in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship before joining the Blues in 2024.

"I first came into contact with New Zealand rugby while playing as a 10-year-old in Frankfurt, where I encountered a whole bunch of Kiwi coaches who then inspired me to come over here to New Zealand to give it a crack," Segner said. "I've experienced it first hand that rugby in New Zealand is like football in Germany. It's a rugby-crazy country and that's all I wanted. To make this squad now is definitely a dream come true."

Rennie said Segner was the best player to come out of the Blues this season, valuable for his ball-winning ability in the loose, his resilience and his contribution at lineouts.

Moorby, who returned to the Hurricanes this year after two seasons with Montpellier, scored 17 tries to equal the Super Rugby season try-scoring record. The backline structure is mostly unchanged: Cam Roigard at scrumhalf, Ruben Love at flyhalf and Jordie Barrett at inside center, with Billy Proctor coming in for Quinn Tupaea at outside center.

Sources

• AP News