Wire flash
SportsGerman Anton Segner, 25, helps All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21 in second cap
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Anton Segner, a 25-year-old from Frankfurt, Germany, has achieved a remarkable rugby fairy tale by playing for the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand. In his second appearance for the team, he helped secure a 40-21 victory against Ireland in Auckland's Eden Park on July 18, 2026. Segner, who moved to New Zealand as an exchange student ten years ago, qualified for the national team after living in the country for over 60 months. He performed the Haka before the match and is receiving widespread congratulations from Germany, where rugby has a smaller following. Segner describes the experience as 'very special' and is soaking up knowledge from his teammates. His parents attended the match, and he will celebrate his 25th birthday with them in New Zealand next week.
Source report
A Remarkable Journey from Frankfurt to New Zealand
Anton Segner, a native of Frankfurt in the German state of Hesse, is writing one of the most unusual stories in world sports. For three weeks, he has been wearing the black jersey of the world's most legendary rugby team — and he is winning with the All Blacks.
On Saturday, the All Blacks defeated Ireland 40-21 in Auckland. This marked Segner's second appearance for the national team, following his half-time substitution against Italy (47-17).
From Exchange Student to National Player
Segner, the All Blacks' adopted rugby son, wore the legendary black jersey as a child in Hesse. Now he officially wears it as player number 1237 in All Blacks history. Having lived in New Zealand for more than 60 months, he is eligible to play for the team.
During his first appearances at The Nations Championship, his parents sit in the stands. Next week, he will celebrate his 25th birthday with them in New Zealand — the fulfillment of a dream that took him from exchange student to national player in ten years.
"The All Blacks were the first team I fell in love with," Segner said.
Performing the Haka
Before the game against Ireland, Segner naturally performed the Haka, the legendary Maori war dance. Fans in Auckland's Eden Park are celebrating their new national team recruit from 18,000 kilometers away.
Anton Segner happy after the 40-21 win in Auckland against Ireland. Photo: Getty Images
Soaking Up Knowledge
The "Loose Forward" (third-row forward) is enjoying and learning from every moment.
"Slowly, I'm really realizing what has happened. I'm enjoying every single step on this path."
On what it means to be an All Black, Segner added:
"It's something very special. I'm just trying to be like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as possible from these guys."
A German performing the legendary Haka: Anton Segner (5th from left) before the Ireland game. Photo: Getty Images
Global Impact
Segner's personal rugby fairy tale is also reaching his home country:
"I'm getting an incredible number of messages and congratulations. People are writing to me saying how proud they are of me and how proud all of Rugby Germany is of me. Experiencing that is something very special."
He added:
"I think it shows that the All Blacks are much more than just New Zealand's national rugby team. They have an enormous global appeal and enjoy great respect everywhere — even in countries without a strong rugby tradition like Germany."
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
German Rugby Sensation Anton Segner Wins with All Blacks Against Ireland