Germany\u2019s place as a sporting power, notably through football, doesn\u2019t extend to rugby, with the country\u2019s national men\u2019s side currently ranked 35th in the world.<\/p>\n
Anton Segner after his All Blacks debut against Italy in Wellington. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Now, though, players based in Germany \u2013 or any country where rugby is a minority sport \u2013 can look to Segner as inspiration that they can make it at the highest level, a feat he takes immense pride in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one of the main reasons I do what I do over here,\u201d Segner said. \u201cTo 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is pretty cool, knowing some kids over there are choosing rugby over football. If that\u2019s because of me, that\u2019s even better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get heaps of messages saying \u2018I\u2019ve come to New Zealand to try and give rugby a crack and follow your footsteps\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty special to receive those messages, knowing I\u2019ve had an impact on other peoples\u2019 lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Thanks to World Rugby\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, I\u2019m very, very grateful and very happy to be playing here in New Zealand,\u201d he continued. \u201cHopefully I can continue to play for New Zealand as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I owe a lot to German rugby, that\u2019s where it all started for me. I\u2019ve spoken to my agent about it as well, it could be an attractive option.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how it would be, whether it\u2019s playing for them, coaching them or help them out in any way I can.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be pretty cool to give back German rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Anton Segner on test debut against Italy. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And once he\u2019d gone over NZR\u2019s offer with his loved ones, Segner didn\u2019t have to think twice in deciding where his future lies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always the thought in the back of the mind of playing closer to home.<\/p>\n
\u201c[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\u2019s why I never really dug deep into any overseas negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where I wanted to play rugby and this is the way I wanted it to fold out.\u201d<\/p>\n