Anton Segner: 'The All Blacks were the first team I fell in love with'

According to Anton Segner, if you ask a German what they know about rugby, they usually say “All Blacks.”

With his impressive form in Super Rugby Pacific, could the Blues flanker become the first German-born All Black?

“I’ve seen that headline and it’s flattering. Honestly, I’m just focused on the Blues. After winning a championship in 2024, I want to do it again,” Segner told RugbyPass.

“The All Blacks were the first team I fell in love with,” he admitted. “They’re a big reason why I play rugby. It would be an awesome honour to play for them, but right now the Blues are my priority.”

Segner earned three straight man-of-the-match awards for the Blues in games against Fijian Drua (40-15), Hurricanes (19-42), and Highlanders (47-40).

In the Blues’ golden point 39-33 win over the Reds in Christchurch on ANZAC Day, Segner ranked among the top five for tackles, lineouts won, and turnovers. He faced Wallaby Fraser McReight, who is seen as one of the best opensides in the competition.

“His work at the breakdown is outstanding. He really knows that part of the game. His work rate is massive and he’s always present. We spent a lot of the week figuring out how to limit his impact,” Segner said.

“We made that game harder by not sticking to our plan. It’s been a pattern this season: we get a few tries ahead, then stop doing what was working. No matter the score, we need to stay disciplined and stick to our process.

The Blues managed this in extra time with an 18-phase attack. It ended when McReight gave away a breakdown penalty, and Beauden Barrett kicked the winning points.

“The role of an openside is to test the limits of the referee. It was a close call; that’s the game, you win some, you lose some,” Segner said.

It looks like Super Rugby will lose Moana Pasifika next year. Moana is struggling financially and could be out by 2027 unless they find funding soon. Still, Moana fought hard in their 45-19 loss to the Blues on Saturday.

“We’re gutted for their players. Our rivalry has become big brother versus little brother. The first thing we did this week was show the clip of them celebrating their win last year,” Segner said. “It’s a game we look forward to and is growing in meaning. It’s always physical, and they can be exciting and unpredictable.”

Segner has won 36 out of 49 games with the Blues, showing his consistency. The Blues are currently third in 2026 with an 8-3 record. How does this team compare to the 2024 squad?

“When we won in 2024, we had Bryce Heem, Ricky Riccitelli, Harry Plummer, the Ioane brothers and Angus Ta’avao. It was a very experienced group,” responded Segner.

“This team is much younger but just as exciting. Torian Barnes, Cody Vai, and Payton Spencer bring a lot of energy, while experienced players like Beauden Barrett and Ofa Tu’ungafasi are natural leaders.”

Segner sits in the middle when it comes to experience, but is driven to improve. One of the biggest changes in his game is his growing prowess in the lineout. Only All Blacks lock Sam Darry, who is 0.11 meters taller, has won more lineouts for the Blues this season than Segner.

“Lineouts weren’t a big part of my game until I came to the Blues. There are some good locks here, like Sam Darry and Patrick Tuipulotu. With them and coach Paul Tito, I developed a skill that’s become a bigger part of my game. It gives our lineout more choice and allows me to offer something I didn’t previously.”

Segner captained Auckland in the NPC in 2025. The season was a disaster, with only two wins in ten games. Still, the 24-year-old claims he learned a lot.

“My main lesson was to make use of the people around me. I tried to carry too much on my shoulders and wasn’t as effective as I could have been. Josh Beehre and Angus Ta’avao were leaders I could have used more. We were very young, perhaps they needed more encouragement and responsibility,” Segner said.

It was former Tasman Rugby Development Officer Tim Manawatu who encouraged Segner to come to New Zealand in 2017. Manawatu, who played for Buller, Hawke’s Bay, King County, and Counties, later worked in Germany at SC 1880 Frankfurt, Segner’s home club and one of the country’s strongest teams. SC 1880 Frankfurt has won the last four Bundesliga rugby championships and 100 out of 106 matches since the 2018-19 season.

Manawatu and Segner’s family arranged a six-month exchange at Nelson College in 2017, which is still going. In 2019, Segner helped Nelson College win their first Crusaders First XV competition title since 2007 and also made the New Zealand Secondary Schools team.

At Nelson, he was coached by Jono Phillips, who turned Nelson into one of the best in the country. They won three more championships, 78 out of 96 matches, and reached the National Top Four in 2021 and 2024. After coaching in the USA, Phillips has just been named Tasman Director of Rugby and NPC coach.

“He was a huge part of my success. He taught us to take rugby seriously – gym, video analysis, no drinking on weekends, and creating a professional environment before you’re even a professional,” Segner said.

Segner was part of the Tasman team that won the NPC in 2020. Is there any chance he might return home?

“Auckland’s my second home at the moment, I’ve got a good circle of friends here and places I like to go, things I like to do, but I love Tasman and New Zealand,” he said.