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Anton Segner
Anton Segner
Anton Segner
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Key Information

Anton Segner (born 24 July 2001) is a German rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship and the Blues in Super Rugby.[1]

Early career

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Germany

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Prior to 2017, Segner was playing for SC 1880 Frankfurt, one of the most traditional clubs in Germany's domestic Rugby-Bundesliga competition. He quickly established himself as one of the leading figures in the youth setup of the club and went on to win numerous German youth championships. He also captained his team, while being one of the youngest members. Segner played for the Germany Under 16 national squad in 2016. He didn't play for the Under 18 team though, as he continued his stay in New Zealand.[2]

New Zealand

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In 2017, Segner was on a six month stay in New Zealand  – after being offered a scholarship by Nelson College – when he was picked for the school's first XV team.[3] He then went on to captain the Nelson College top side in 2018 and led them to their first UC Championship title in twelve years in 2019.[4] In 2018, Segner made the Crusaders Under 18 squad and made his debut for the New Zealand Schools team against Tonga.[3] In 2021, he was named captain of the Crusaders Under 20 side for the Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 competition.[5]

Senior career

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At just 19 years of age, Segner was named in the Tasman Mako squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup,[6] signing a two year deal with the province.[7] He made his debut for the Mako in Round 7 against Southland in a 47–10 win for the side at Trafalgar Park.[8] Segner became the first German to win a Mitre 10 Cup title when Tasman won the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup, beating Auckland 12–13 in the final at Eden Park, with Segner coming off the bench in the second half. Segner had a stand out season during the 2021 Bunnings NPC as the Mako made the Premiership final before losing 23–20 to Waikato.

In October 2021, Segner signed a three year deal with Super Rugby franchise the Blues.[9] He made his debut for the side in Round 2 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season against the Hurricanes.[1]

After four seasons playing for Tasman, Segner not only re-signed with the Blues for a further two seasons; he also decided to make Auckland his permanent home by signing with the Auckland NPC team for two years.[10] He made his debut for the province on 9 August 2024 against Wellington.[11]

International career

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In May 2021, Segner was named in the New Zealand Under 20 squad.[12] However, due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the 2021 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship and World Rugby U20 Championship were cancelled.[13] Instead, the team played a series of four matches on home soil, including one international match against the Cook Islands national team.[14][15]

References

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Anton Segner

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Anton Segner (born 24 July 2001) is a German professional player who plays as a loose forward for the in Pacific and captains in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). Standing at 1.92 meters and weighing 108 kilograms, he is versatile across the back row positions, including openside flanker, blindside flanker, and number eight. Segner holds the distinction of being the first German to compete in , having joined the in 2022 after developing his skills in . Born in , , Segner began his rugby career with SC 1880 Frankfurt before moving to in 2017 at the age of 15 on a to . There, he quickly adapted to the intense New Zealand schoolboy rugby scene, captaining the First XV in 2018 and representing the New Zealand Schoolboys team against that same year at just 16 years old. Despite initial challenges, including a period of low confidence due to the physical and competitive demands of the environment, Segner progressed rapidly, captaining the Crusaders Under-20s in 2021. Segner's professional debut came in 2020 with Tasman Mako in the NPC (then Mitre 10 Cup), where he played four seasons and contributed to their 2020 title win. He made his debut for the against the Hurricanes in 2022, accumulating 38 caps and 5 points by the end of the 2025 season, including a award against at . Joining ahead of the 2023 NPC season, Segner signed a extension with the through 2026 and was named 's captain for 2025, signaling his growing leadership role. With 83 matches and 62 tries as of November 2025, and a reputation for tough carries and tackling, he continues to eye opportunities in New Zealand's higher tiers.

Early life and youth career

Early years in Germany

Anton Segner was born on 24 July 2001 in , . Growing up in the city, he initially engaged in sports like football and before discovering rugby through friends at his English-speaking school. At the age of nine, Segner and his older brother began training at SC 1880 , one of 's traditional rugby clubs in the . He quickly progressed within the club's youth setup, playing as a back-row forward suited to his developing athletic build and height. By his early teens, Segner's talent earned him selection to the Under-16 national team in , where he participated in international matches as a loose forward. This representation highlighted his emergence as a promising talent in German youth rugby, building on his foundational experiences at SC 1880 Frankfurt prior to his departure from the country in 2017.

Relocation and development in New Zealand

In 2017, at the age of 15, Anton Segner relocated from , , to on an initial six-month , but he was soon awarded a full scholarship to attend , a prestigious boarding school in Nelson known for its strong rugby tradition. This move marked a significant shift, as Segner faced initial challenges in adapting to New Zealand's high-intensity rugby style and cultural environment, admitting later that he felt overwhelmed and his confidence reached rock bottom upon first experiencing the local game's physical demands and pace. Despite these hurdles, his prior involvement with the German Rugby Youth National Team served as a crucial foundation, enabling him to quickly integrate and excel in the New Zealand youth system. Segner's adaptation accelerated during his time at Nelson College, where he unexpectedly earned a spot in the First XV rugby team and rose to by his second season in 2018. As captain, he demonstrated leadership and skill as a loose forward, guiding the team through competitive school rugby fixtures and contributing to their development as a cohesive unit. His performances caught the attention of regional selectors, leading to his selection for the Crusaders Under-18 squad in 2018, where he honed his abilities alongside other promising talents from schools. A pinnacle of Segner's schoolboy career came in 2019, when he captained to victory in the UC Championship, New Zealand's premier secondary schools rugby tournament. In the final against , Segner scored two crucial tries in a 35-31 win, earning both and the Philip McDonald Memorial Medal as the tournament's top performer. That same year, building on his 2018 debut, he represented the Schools team for a second time, further solidifying his status as one of the country's standout youth players.

Professional career

Tasman Mako

Anton Segner entered professional rugby by signing a two-year contract with Tasman Mako ahead of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, the domestic provincial competition in now known as the Bunnings National Provincial Championship (NPC). At 19 years old and born in , he transitioned from youth representative rugby to the professional level, joining a squad featuring multiple All Blacks and players. His inclusion highlighted Tasman's depth in the loose forward positions, where Segner competed as a versatile back-rower capable of playing openside flanker or number eight. Segner made his professional debut in round seven of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup against Southland on October 25 at Trafalgar Park, entering as a substitute in the 51st minute during Tasman's 48-27 victory. Brought into the team gradually to build experience, he earned starts in subsequent matches, featuring in a total of nine appearances that season (six starts), scoring one try for five points. His integration allowed him to contribute to key games, including the playoff run, where Tasman topped the table with a strong defensive record, conceding around 19 points per game on average. Throughout the season, Segner's performances as a loose forward emphasized his physicality and work rate at the breakdown, where he helped secure turnovers and maintain territorial pressure in tight contests. Notable examples include his involvement in Tasman's gritty semifinal win over (28-24) and the championship final against on November 28, a tense 13-12 victory at that secured back-to-back titles for the Mako—the second team in history to achieve this feat. Segner's role in the team's defensive structure was instrumental during the , aligning with Tasman's overall tackle success rate exceeding 88% in the final. As the first German-born player to win the Mitre 10 Cup, his contributions marked a significant personal milestone amid the province's success. Segner continued with Tasman for the 2021 and 2022 NPC seasons, accumulating a total of 28 appearances and three tries across his three seasons with the Mako. In 2021, he featured in several matches as Tasman finished third, while in 2022, he contributed to their run to the final, though they lost to .

Blues and Auckland

In 2021, Anton Segner signed a three-year contract with the , becoming the first German player in history. He made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in Round 2 of the 2022 season against the Hurricanes, appearing in seven games that year as a loose forward. Over the subsequent seasons, Segner accumulated 38 appearances for the Blues, scoring 5 points from a single try, while contributing to the team's 2024 Super Rugby Pacific championship win through consistent bench and rotational roles. His performances highlighted a strong work rate, including high tackle completion rates and effective lineout involvement, which bolstered the Blues' forward pack during their title-winning campaign. Following his success at the Tasman Mako, Segner moved to the NPC team in 2024 to establish a permanent base in the city. In his debut season with , he featured in 10 matches, helping the side build momentum, and added more appearances in 2025 (at least 8 as of November 2025) for a total of over 18 games and more than 20 points from four tries by mid-season. Segner's physicality and in the loose forward position were evident, with notable contributions in turnovers won and lineout steals that supported 's provincial efforts. In July 2025, Segner was appointed captain of for the NPC season, recognizing his growing influence and maturity within the . Under his , the team showed resilience in tight contests, though they faced challenges against stronger opponents. Concurrently, Segner extended his contract through 2026 in March 2024, expressing ambitions to secure a starting role and deeper impact in Pacific, including contributions to the 2025 title defense preparations amid a competitive loose forward group.

International career

Youth internationals

Segner began his youth international career representing at the under-16 level in 2016. Following his relocation to in 2017, Segner shifted his representative focus to his adopted country, earning selection for the New Zealand Schools team in 2018. He featured in three matches during the team's tour of , starting on the openside flank against Schools and scoring a try on debut versus Australia Schools, where his breakdown work and physicality stood out. In 2021, Segner was included in the Under-20 squad as a rising prospect, but the team played no fixtures due to the cancellation of the amid the . That same year, he served as captain of the Crusaders Under-20 side, enhancing his leadership profile ahead of further international youth opportunities. Born in , Segner qualifies for the national team through birthright, while his New Zealand eligibility for age-grade teams stems from residency and schooling in the country starting at age 15. His prior club youth captaincies in and at in New Zealand served as key stepping stones to these international call-ups.

Senior eligibility and prospects

As of November 2025, Anton Segner has not made any senior international appearances for either or . Segner holds German citizenship by birth but became eligible to represent at the senior level in 2022 after fulfilling World Rugby's five-year residency requirement following his 2017 relocation to the country. This dual eligibility positions him to potentially play for the All Blacks, though he has yet to receive a call-up. In interviews, Segner has openly expressed his ambition to represent at the senior level, stating in February 2025 that earning an All Blacks jersey is a key goal, albeit one requiring incremental achievements along the way. His prior experience with the New Zealand Under-20 team serves as a foundation for these aspirations. However, Segner faces significant challenges in breaking into the All Blacks, including intense competition within New Zealand's stacked loose forward pool, which features established stars like and emerging talents such as and Wallace Sititi. The cancellation of the 2021 , for which he was selected in New Zealand's squad, limited his early international exposure and profile-building opportunities. His appointment as captain of for the 2025 Bunnings NPC season provides a prominent platform to showcase his and , potentially drawing attention from national selectors. Looking ahead, pathways to senior recognition could include selection for All Blacks wider training groups or appearances with the , as well as opportunities in sevens or invitational squads to build further momentum.

References

  1. https://www.blues.rugby/anton-segner-player-profile
  2. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-all-sport-breakfast-72836273/episode/anton-sagner-auckland-captain-on-their-288998899/
  3. https://all.rugby/player/anton-segner
  4. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/anton-segner
  5. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/anton-segner/
  6. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/blues-rookie-anton-segner-sets-out-to-become-germanys-first-all-black/
  7. https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshot-tasman-mako-back-row-anton-segner-114278
  8. https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/index.php?playerId=730
  9. https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/33733921/anton-segner-fabian-holland-europe-new-zealand-all-blacks
  10. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/qa-with-blues-loose-forward-anton-segner-the-german-rugby-star-with-all-blacks-dreams/SRUEGGHESYHDDHWBZ76MZSO4AI/
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xejFH4S-rXI
  12. https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/nelson-mail/20181020/281479277390645
  13. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-german-teenager-who-wants-to-play-for-the-all-blacks-and-how-he-could-have-played-for-one-of-nzs-biggest-rivals/
  14. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/115358408/german-exchange-student-anton-segner-chases-all-blacks-dream
  15. https://hstop200.com/crusaders-u18-squad-for-2018/
  16. https://archive.nelsonweekly.co.nz/2019/08/dream-run-for-boys-in-blue/
  17. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/107929155/german-teenager-anton-segner-chasing-his-all-black-rugby-dream
  18. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/german-teenager-named-alongside-all-blacks-and-super-rugby-stars-in-strong-tasman-mitre-10-cup-squad/
  19. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/123196138/mitre-10-cup-rising-stars-german-teen-anton-segner-makes-pro-debut-for-tasman
  20. https://www.mako.nz/our-history/blog-post-title-one-86hr8-cs97z-xybwl-r7mwe-rwz6a-a8fcr-h74mk-64527-csnpx-f5h5b-7lkle-gd936-bkn9y-x6mp5-fawdk-l5hh7-gewda-l8z56
  21. https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/anton-segner
  22. https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/young-german-signs-for-blues
  23. https://www.rugbypass.com/players/anton-segner/
  24. https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-all-sport-breakfast/audio/anton-sagner-auckland-captain-on-their-loss-to-waikato-second-npc-clash-against-canterbury/
  25. https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/segner-resigns
  26. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/german-born-teenager-and-super-rugby-stars-headline-2021-new-zealand-u20-squad/
  27. https://today.rtl.lu/sport/international/a/1807532.html
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgGJfhfdY94
  29. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/all-blacks-v-scotland-peter-lakai-and-wallace-sititi-lead-new-loose-forward-era-at-murrayfield/BAKC2KWFKJDN7IZ2FXF4QGPYTI/
  30. https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-xv-2025-squad-announced
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