Segner signs to go all out with Blues and Auckland
Permanent move to City of Sails aptly reflects German’s steadily progressing standing
Anton Segner is a man on the move. The German-born, New Zealand-adopted loose forward’s future is secure after signing a two-year contract extension with the Blues that coincides with shifting his provincial allegiance from Tasman to Auckland.
A permanent move to Auckland aptly reflects Segner’s steadily progressing standing.
Segner’s rugby development, from a New Zealand perspective at least, started at Nelson College where he earned a scholarship after first arriving as a 15-year-old exchange student from Frankfurt in 2017.
German rugby players are far less common than steins and bratwurst but, from the outset, Segner’s work ethic stood out and he soon progressed through the Tasman, Crusaders and national age-grade ranks.
Two years ago, he was snaffled from red-and-black country by now All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald. Although he has savoured sporadic Super Rugby Pacific opportunities since, Segner immediately impressed new Blues coach Vern Cotter and appears on the verge of a breakout season.
Despite stiff competition from past or present All Blacks Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu in the stacked Blues loose forwards, Segner knocked back overtures from other Super teams — namely the Crusaders — to commit to a full-time Auckland base.
“This region is really starting to feel like home for me, so I’m happy to get settled here,” Segner said after signing to the end of 2026.
“People are going to say there’s a lot of competition, so why stay? Part of the reason I was keen to re-sign is competition, in my eyes, is what makes you a better player. Me competing with those guys like Dalton, Hoskins and Aki, the list goes on, I know I benefit from that.
“Nelson is where I went to school for three years and that was my stepping stone into Super Rugby and the Blues. I owe a lot to that club and region but my career goes on and that chapter ends, and another one starts, which I’m very much looking forward to.”
As Cotter adopts a full squad policy to this season, having already rested All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Finlay Christie, Segner is expected to return to start at blindside for the Blues’ game in Wellington on Saturday night after sitting out last weekend’s win over the Highlanders. Akira Ioane shifts to the back of the scrum and Sotutu reverting to the bench after a standout start that includes five tries from two outings.
Sam Darry is also set for a six-to-eight-week spell on the sidelines with an MCL injury to further deplete the Blues locking stocks, while captain Patrick Tuipulotu continues his recovery from a broken jaw.
While Segner’s increasing ability over the ball as a genuine turnover exponent positions him as a natural openside, the presence of Papali’i has often pushed Segner to No 6 for the Blues, where his defensive work rate consistently comes to the fore.
“As long as I’m out there, I’m happy,” Segner said. “I definitely enjoy
This region is really starting to feel like home for me, so I’m happy to get settled here.
Blues loose forward Anton Segner
all three loose forward positions and I’ve talked to Vern about that. Wherever I’m needed, I can do that.”
Segner, now in his third season with the Blues, turns 23 in July. As he continues to add muscle to his frame, he will only enhance his influence in the coming years. His next step will be progressing his ballcarrying to match his defensive efforts — and physically dominating his opponents.
“Physically for sure,” Segner said of his recent development. “Being surrounded by bigger athletes, I’ve had to match them with that. I’ve never had trouble putting on weight, so I’m happy to keep doing that.
“I’m sitting around 108-109kg and I feel good in contact and good around the park. I was quite a bit lighter when I first arrived here, so our nutritionist got me on a good plan. I’m starting to bulk up a bit now, which is helping me out on the field. It’s about learning how to throw that weight around now.”
As an adopted Kiwi, Segner harbours ambitions to one day represent the All Blacks. For now, though, he is reticent about voicing those, knowing the depth of loose forward competition throughout the country.
“My focus is on the Blues. I want to be the best rugby player I can. If further honours develop from there, that would be great for my career.”
Humble, hard-working and with youth on his side, Segner possesses all the attributes to eventually progress to the test scene.
Should he achieve that trailblazing feat, his German fan club is sure to soar.
“My dad did a piece last year on him being the founder and owner and, at the time, only fan on that page. I’ll see if there’s any more fans on it. My parents and younger brother are coming over at the end of the month, so that’s always special having them here and to show them around.”