Segner labelled 'non-negotiable' All Blacks pick after Blues sweep four awards

Anton Segner has been declared a ‘non-negotiable’ All Blacks selection by former Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall after the Blues flanker swept all four individual awards at his club’s end-of-season ceremony, winning Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Fans’ Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

The clean sweep has intensified debate around Segner’s international credentials, with analysts on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod pointing to statistics that place him among the best openside options in New Zealand. With one round remaining before the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, Segner leads or shares the lead in several key metrics: 13 breakdown steals (first-equal alongside Leicester Finag’anuku), 88 per cent tackle completion (second only to Du’Plessis Kirifi), and nine dominant tackles (second only to Ethan Blackadder).

Hall, a six-time Super Rugby champion, compared Segner to departing Blues teammate Dalton Papali’i and argued the 27-year-old is ready to serve as Ardie Savea’s understudy at Test level. “We’ve always known that he’s a very good jackler; I think he’s probably the best jackler in the competition,” Hall said. “But the area I’ve really enjoyed from him this year is his attack. He’s carrying over the gainline at 74 per cent, which is very, very important at Test level. That efficiency actually surprised me.”

Hall added: “I think with his form, he’s a non-negotiable. He’s done it for a long time.”

Long-time commentator Tony Johnson echoed that assessment, noting the German-born Tasman product has developed well beyond his jackalling reputation. “You look at his numbers, the metres after contact, strong carries; he’s really learnt to use his body and his power very effectively,” Johnson said. “His defence is very good, his tackle stats are really good, and that lineout game that he’s really developed. He’s definitely been, in a Blues team that’s fired in fits and starts a bit this year, consistently outstanding.”

Johnson acknowledged the depth of New Zealand’s loose forward stocks — citing young Blues teammate Lucas Casey as another emerging talent — but said Segner has done enough to force his way into the All Blacks picture. “It’s got to the point now where I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in the All Blacks, even for the early part of the year,” he said.

The Blues currently sit third on the Super Rugby Pacific table heading into the final round of the regular season.