‘No brainer’: Segner re-commits to All Blacks, Blues to end of 2031

Anton Segner has become the first All Black to commit to New Zealand Rugby through to the 2031 World Cup and re-signed with the national body.

The 25-year-old German-born loose forward, who made his test debut this year, has put pen to paper on a new four-year contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and will stay with the Blues at Super Rugby level and Auckland in the NPC.

“Signing a long extension with the Blues, Auckland Rugby and New Zealand Rugby gives me a long-term idea of where I’ll be playing my rugby and there’s no place I’d rather be than here in Auckland,” he said.

“I have spent a huge chunk of my life in the ‘09 and it’s that place that has given me so many opportunities. This is my home away from home and I absolutely love it here.

“I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity. Playing under Alfie [new Blues coach Jason Holland] is something that excited me as well as the direction of New Zealand Rugby as a whole, so it was a no brainer.”

Since moving to New Zealand as a teenager, Segner has slowly but surely climbed the ranks of the professional game, culminating in his test debut against Italy in Wellington.

He was selected by coach Dave Rennie to tour South Africa as part of the All Blacks’ Greatest Rivalry series, only to suffer an ankle injury in the lead-up to the series-opening test in Johannesburg.

However, that hasn’t deterred Rennie’s belief in Segner’s capabilities as a loose forward, capable of covering multiple positions. He will now form a core of rising young players leading into next year’s World Cup in Australia, and the 2031 tournament in the United States.

“Anton’s a great example of what this jersey means to people,” Rennie said.

“He left home at 15, backed himself, and has worked incredibly hard to get where he is. Committing through to 2031 shows how much he wants to be part of this team.

“Anton is a hell of an athlete and has physical presence on both sides of the ball. His anticipation post-tackle, versatility and work ethic are genuine points of difference. This is a great signing for New Zealand Rugby.”

As well as his two appearances for the All Blacks, Segner has already played more than 50 times for the Blues and 45 matches in the NPC across stints with Tasman before moving to Auckland in 2024.