​WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Anton Segner is poised to become the first player born in Germany to wear the New Zealand All Blacks jersey when he comes off the bench to debut 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 as part of an 11-change lineup from the squad that edged France 34-32 in the tournament opener. Five of the changes are among the starting backs, and Segner will debut alongside winger Josh Moorby.
Segner was born in Frankfurt and moved to New Zealand at 15 in 2017 as an exchange student for what was intended to be a six‑month stay. He attended Nelson College, New Zealand’s oldest secondary school, which has a storied rugby heritage and was involved in the first rugby match in the country in 1870. The school has produced 23 All Blacks. Segner later captained the Crusaders under-20 team based in Christchurch and played for the Tasman Makos in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship before joining the Blues in 2024.
Segner has recalled how his path to New Zealand rugby began as a ten-year-old in Frankfurt, where he met numerous Kiwi coaches who inspired him to pursue the game in New Zealand. “I’ve seen firsthand that rugby in New Zealand is like football (soccer) in Germany,” he said. “It’s a rugby‑crazy country, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. To make this All Blacks squad now is definitely a dream come true.”
Rennie described Segner as the standout talent to emerge from the Blues this season, praising his abilities at the breakdown, his resilience, and his contribution at lineouts. Moorby’s story is a return after a brief departure from New Zealand. He left in 2024 to join Montpellier in France after two seasons with the Wellington-based Hurricanes in Super Rugby. He has since returned to the Hurricanes this season, where he has crossed the try line 17 times, matching the Super Rugby single-season record for tries.
In terms of the backline, Rennie has largely kept the structure intact, maintaining the inside backs combination of Cam Roigard at scrumhalf, Ruben Love at flyhalf, and Jordie Barrett at inside centre. Billy Proctor steps in for Quinn Tupaea at outside centre, while Leroy Carter is set to start on the left wing in place of Caleb Clarke. The back row also sees changes, with Wallace Sititi named at blindside in place of Peter Lakai, while Luke Jacobson remains at openside and captain Ardie Savea continues at the back of the scrum.
Rennie emphasized that the selections reflected both the need to reward performance and the desire to give players continued opportunities. “There are a number of players and combinations we felt deserved a second consecutive outing, and others who have earned the right to seize their chance,” he said. “This is a strong side that respects their Italian opponents. They have shown in the Six Nations that they can beat anyone on their day.”
The match against Italy marks another milestone in Segner’s journey, underscoring his unique crossover into one of rugby’s most storied teams. As Rennie balanced experimentation with continuity, the All Blacks aimed to deliver a performance that balanced aggression, precision, and a continued respect for a resilient Italian side eager to prove themselves on the world stage.