Germany’s place as a sporting power, notably through football, doesn’t extend to rugby, with the country’s national men’s side currently ranked 35th in the world.
Anton Segner after his All Blacks debut against Italy in Wellington. Photo / Photosport
Now, though, players based in Germany – or any country where rugby is a minority sport – can look to Segner as inspiration that they can make it at the highest level, a feat he takes immense pride in.
“That’s one of the main reasons I do what I do over here,” Segner said. “To inspire other young, not just German rugby players, but non-rugby nation players to give it a crack in a country where it is the main sport.
“It is pretty cool, knowing some kids over there are choosing rugby over football. If that’s because of me, that’s even better.
“I get heaps of messages saying ‘I’ve come to New Zealand to try and give rugby a crack and follow your footsteps’.
“It’s pretty special to receive those messages, knowing I’ve had an impact on other peoples’ lives.”
Despite his commitment to New Zealand, though, Segner also concedes he wants to play a role in helping Germany take the next step in rugby.
Thanks to World Rugby’s eligibility laws, Segner is able to change his international allegiance to the country of his birth, provided he observes a three-year stand-down period.
And while, at present, there are no plans to switch eligibility just yet, there have been conversations around ways he can give back to the game in his homeland.
“At the moment, I’m very, very grateful and very happy to be playing here in New Zealand,” he continued. “Hopefully I can continue to play for New Zealand as well.
“But I owe a lot to German rugby, that’s where it all started for me. I’ve spoken to my agent about it as well, it could be an attractive option.
“I don’t know how it would be, whether it’s playing for them, coaching them or help them out in any way I can.
“It would be pretty cool to give back German rugby.”
Naturally, having been away from home for so long, Segner would have been forgiven for entertaining overseas offers when renegotiating with NZR. A move to a club in France or England would have allowed him to be closer to his family, who are still based in Frankfurt.
Anton Segner on test debut against Italy. Photo / Photosport
However, he also makes no secret of his commitment to the black jersey, so much so that his re-signing came before a concrete offer from an overseas side could even be put on the table.
And once he’d gone over NZR’s offer with his loved ones, Segner didn’t have to think twice in deciding where his future lies.
“There’s always the thought in the back of the mind of playing closer to home.
“[My family] said they can tell how happy it makes me, playing here. I was able to push all of that to the side and look at it for myself. That’s why I never really dug deep into any overseas negotiations.
“This is where I wanted to play rugby and this is the way I wanted it to fold out.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.