German-born Anton Segner has been named in New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team for the upcoming Nations Championships.
Segner moved to New Zealand as a 15-year-old in 2018 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional rugby player, and has now fulfilled his mission with a call-up to the All Blacks on Monday.
"I'm lost for words," Segner told German broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk. "This is, of course, the most exciting time of my life."
The 24-year-old said he rang his family straight after receiving the call from coach Dave Rennie, but struggled to get through due to the time difference.
"It was 4 am (0200 GMT) in Germany. They were all over the moon," said Senger, who plays in the back row.
New Zealand allows players to represent the All Blacks after spending at least five years in the country.
Segner had first arrived in the country as part of a six-month exchange programme with Nelson College, having come from Germany's serial champions SC 1880 Frankfurt.
He caught the eye with his "high work rate, physical as selected for the “New Zealand Schools squad in 2018 and the New Zealand U20 national team in 2020.
In 2024, he was awarded a three-year contract with the Auckland-based Blues in the Super Rugby league. This season, he led the team as captain.
The All Blacks will face France, Italy and Ireland at the Nations Championships. The international tournament takes place every two years.
