Anton Segner stands ready to make history as the first German-born All Black if the 24-year-old uncapped back-row forward enters the field from the replacements during New Zealand's Nations Championship clash with Italy on Saturday.

Born in Frankfurt, Segner fell in love with rugby and the All Blacks after two English school friends introduced him to the game. He signed up with a local club coached by New Zealanders and quickly adopted local customs, asking his parents for pies and performing a haka he had learned online at a school Christmas concert.

His father Tim described how the youngster tried to talk like a Kiwi, eat like a Kiwi and dress like a Kiwi during those early years.

At 15 Segner moved to New Zealand to attend Nelson College, a school famous for producing many All Blacks. He rose through the age-grade sides and earned a Super Rugby contract with the Auckland-based Blues.

I have seen firsthand that rugby in New Zealand is like soccer in Germany, Segner said. It is a rugby-crazy country and that is all I wanted. To make this squad now is definitely a dream come true.

Segner may become the first German-born All Black, yet his route closely mirrors that of Fabian Holland, who was born and raised in the Netherlands.

Holland was inspired by a New Zealand Sevens camp at his local club, moved to Christchurch at 16 and made his All Blacks debut against France in July 2025 before being named World Rugby breakthrough player of the year.

Coach Dave Rennie has made five changes to the starting XV after last weekend's narrow win over France, with flanker Wallace Sititi among those selected. Ruben Love keeps his place at fly-half following his first Test start in the 34-32 victory in Christchurch.

New Zealand: McKenzie; Jordan, Proctor, Barrett, Carter; Love, Roigard; de Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Darry, Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Bower, Tosi, Lord, Segner, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, Moorby.