Tears and missed calls as new All Blacks learn of shock selections

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2026, 2:33pm

Tears, missed calls and alcohol were all part of how some of the newest All Blacks reacted to their call-up from Dave Rennie.

Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby forced their way into the side with record-breaking performances for the Hurricanes this season, while Anton Segner becomes the first German-born All Black.

Speaking to Sky Sport after the squad was announced, Fineanganofo said he was with Moorby when the call came through.

“I was shocked and emotional, just wanted to call family and yeah, I saw this guy [Moorby] in the corner of my eye and I was like, ‘oh, he must be in there too’,” Fineanganofo said.

“I was like, yeah, happy for both of us.”

The 23-year-old said his mum’s response to his call-up made him emotional.

New All Blacks from left: Anton Segner, Xavier Numia, Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby during the New Zealand All Blacks squad announcement. Photo / Photosport

“Just like any typical mother, she’s just started crying, so I started crying too.

“I don’t know if that was the alcohol or not, but yeah, it was just very emotional.”

Fineanganofo’s performances in Super Rugby have raised the prospect of the winger staying with NZ Rugby, as he had signed a deal to move to English club Newcastle Red Bulls.

Coach Dave Rennie would not confirm if his contract had been bought out and he would stay in New Zealand long term.

“I think that’s a process that he’s going through, but what we know is he’s contracted here till November, so his form’s been irresistible and we’re keen to name him,” Rennie said.

“I guess he’ll work through that in time.”

Meanwhile, Josh Moorby said it was “surreal” for him to be named as part of the All Blacks squad, but he had only told his partner about it.

“[I] left my parents to find out just now when the team got announced, so kept it old fashioned, they were going around to my grandparents, so yeah, pretty cool moment they would have had,” he said to Sky Sport.

Blues forward Segner explained that he had missed the first call from Rennie.

“He tried to call me at 12 o’clock midday, but it never came through,” Segner said.

“And then I got a message saying I missed a call from this number and then that same number texted me saying, ‘Hey, Dave Rennie here. I’ve got a call for you.’

“And I was like, ‘Oh, this can go one of two ways,’ then I picked up, found out.

“Very, very emotional time and was obviously speechless and then as soon as I got off the phone to him, I stayed on my phone and FaceTimed my parents straight away.

“It took three times until they picked up because it was the middle of the night over there.

“So, yeah, told them straight away and they were excited too.”

One of the biggest tests for him now is trying to make sure his family make it out to New Zealand again, after coming to watch him play for the Blues a few weeks ago.

“We’re going to have to start looking at flights again now, because, twice to New Zealand and back a year is no easy feat.”