When Blues rookie Anton Segner left Frankfurt to further his rugby career at Nelson College, few would have imagined how close he would come to his dream of one day playing for the All Blacks.
As a six-month scholarship turned to Nelson College captaincy, NZ Secondary Schools and NZ U20 selection, an NPC title with Tasman Mako and a Super Rugby contract with the Blues, Segner's stay in New Zealand has extended to five years.
With COVID-19 making international travel problematic, he hadn't seen his family in three years, but that changed over the past week, with mother Eva arriving in Auckland, joined by dad Tim.
The reunion with his mother during a team meal was especially emotional, introduced as the announcement of a "new forwards coach". The moment was captured and posted on the Blues Instagram account.
"Anton hasn’t seen his family in almost three years," said the post. "His mum surprised him last week and the rest of his fam came down today.
"Who’s cutting onions?"
Segner, 20, has made five appearances for the Blues this season, starting at No.8 against Western Force last weekend.
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