Overview
- The All Blacks announced a 34-player Nations Championships squad on Monday, June 22, 2026, and included 24-year-old Anton Segner among four uncapped players.
- Segner is reported to be the first German ever selected for New Zealand’s national team and said he called his family at about 4 a.m. German time after receiving the call.
- He moved to New Zealand at 15 on a scholarship to Nelson College, progressed through New Zealand Schools and the U20 side, and has played for the Auckland-based Blues since 2022.
- New Zealand Rugby’s rule that allows players with at least five years’ residency to represent the country made Segner eligible, and coach Dave Rennie praised his ball skills, work rate and versatility.
- Segner could make his first appearance on 4 July in Christchurch against France, with follow-up Nations Championships fixtures versus Italy and Ireland, a development that may draw attention to player pathways for German rugby.