Anton Segner in action for Nelson College during this season's UC Championship. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.

A German with a silver fern

0
1711

Anton Segner’s dream of becoming the first German All Black came closer to reality at the weekend, making his international debut for the New Zealand Secondary Schools side.

The Nelson College 1st XV captain started at flanker for New Zealand and even got himself a try as his side dismantled Tonga Schools 54-0.

Anton says it was an “unreal feeling” to pull the black jersey on for the first time.

“It was indescribable, the way I felt when putting it on and running out.”

The 17-year-old says there is a powerful camaraderie within the New Zealand squad.

“Every one of the boys I was surrounded by would give it everything for the jersey and for each other.”

Anton got himself on the scoresheet against Tonga.

“As expected, Tonga came out really physically, but we matched them really well, I thought,” Anton says.

The 192cm and 104kg openside flanker says, while delighted to get over the chalk, he was just happy to be in black.

“I’m very honoured and privileged to have been able to wear the black jersey with the fern on it.”

The 2018 UC Championship MVP award winner says the side recovered from its Tonga game to to beat the Australian Barbarians 55-31 on Monday afternoon.

New Zealand Schools will now meet Australian Schools on Saturday in the final match of the tour.

With another year of high school, Anton will be expected to lead Nelson College for the 2019 season as well.