‘Just try to be a sponge': Anton Segner opens up on life in All Blacks camp

German-born All Black loose-forward Anton Segner is soaking up every possible meeting, training session, and discussion with teammates as he heads into his third week in camp.

The All Blacks are settled into Auckland as they prepare for Andy Farrell’s Ireland on Saturday evening, where Segner could make his second appearance for Dave Rennie’s side.

Segner, after being named in Rennie’s initial All Blacks squad back in June, has been a busy man, with some of his German family in the country to witness his special moment.

The Blues loose-forward, out of Frankfurt, Germany, became an All Black, officially, at halftime of the Italy contest in Wellington, with Luke Jacobson succumbing to a tight calf.

Rennie said post-match that he was impressed with Segner’s work rate, and that it was ideal for the debutant to get more than just a short shift towards the end of the game.

Speaking to Auckland on Tuesday, Segner said it’s been an incredible couple of weeks, and he’s still coming to terms with everything that’s happening.

“Yeah, I guess it is still sinking in a bit for me. But on Sunday, travelling back, I had a bit of a moment to sort of digest it all,” Segner said at the All Blacks’ Auckland training base at North Harbour Stadium.

“And the way I feel about it now is that after having been a part of two test weeks, now I obviously know what it looks like and yeah, I guess that has upped my confidence a little bit, knowing what the process is.

“But the one thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m enjoying every step of the way.”

The 24-year-old said he gave himself a moment to reflect on the achievement, but quickly shifted his focus onto this weekend’s Test against the Irish.

“Straight away, pretty much. I obviously had the evening after the game in Wellington to celebrate with my teammates and with my family who were there as well.

“But then, yeah, your job, your next job focus is on straight away on Sunday. I mean, you watch your own game on Sunday, and then on Monday you do your team reviews, and then yeah you’re pretty much into your previews, and now it’s Tuesday, and we’re preparing for the Test on Saturday.”

The versatile German loose-forward explained that there has been a clear message from the coaching staff, especially to the forwards.

“We’re going to have to roll up our sleeves. I mean, the Irish have got a good pack. So definitely at set piece, especially we’re going to have to be right on, as well as around the park.

“They pride themselves on their carry and clean. So for us on defense, it’s going to be about work ethic and putting bodies in front of theirs and making sure that we get lower than them.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

28

21

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

20%

“So yeah, there have been a few key messages, especially around the forward pack.”

Segner explained how rubbing shoulders with the likes of Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson at training has been a “special” experience, as he continues to learn what it takes to be an All Black.

“It’s hugely special, and yeah, I just try to be a sponge and soak up all the knowledge that I can get off those boys because yeah, those are two those are two examples of many in this team.

“I mean, they are obviously more relevant for me because they play my position. So I’ve been learning heaps of them, and yeah, being able to pick at their brain around what they know has been very beneficial to me.

“But also getting to know them as people and seeing what they’re all about as a person is pretty cool too.”