German-Born Player Makes All Blacks History in July

A nine-year-old boy in Frankfurt discovered rugby in a friend's backyard and fell in love the moment he learned hitting was part of the game. Fifteen years later, Anton Segner is about to make history as the first German-born player to represent New Zealand's legendary All Blacks.

Segner remembers waking up early in 2011 to watch the All Blacks perform their famous haka before defeating France 8-7 in the Rugby World Cup final. On July 4, he'll take the field against those same French opponents wearing the black jersey himself.

"Like every other German kid, I did grow up playing football until I was nine years old," Segner said. Two English school friends introduced him to rugby, and he immediately joined SC 1880 Frankfurt, where New Zealand coaches Kieran and Tim Manawatu guided him through the youth ranks.

In 2016, one of those coaches helped arrange a spot for Segner at Nelson College in New Zealand. His captain upon arrival was Leicester Fainga'anuku, now also an All Black and teammate.

Segner quickly rose through New Zealand's rugby system, playing provincial rugby for Tasman in 2020 and joining the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby two years later. Coach Dave Rennie named him to the 34-man All Blacks squad on Monday for the Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy, and Ireland.

The Ripple Effect

Back in Germany, rugby fans set alarms for 2 a.m. to watch the squad announcement live. Segner's selection is inspiring a new generation of German players who now see a pathway from European clubs to rugby's highest level.

His family will travel from Germany to watch all three matches. New All Blacks captain Ardie Savea praised Segner's inclusion, saying when people come together under one goal and embrace each other's stories, "it can be a beautiful thing."

Segner joked that facing France makes the moment even sweeter, noting Germans and New Zealanders share a friendly rivalry with the French in their respective sports. His path from a Frankfurt backyard to Christchurch's international stage shows that passion and opportunity can transform impossible dreams into reality.