Fabian Holland and Anton Segner have earned spots on New Zealand's touring roster ahead of matches against Scotland, Wales, and England. The European-born pair moved across the globe during their youth, transitioning from non-traditional rugby nations to top-tier development programs. Holland, an established international honored as World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year, joins recent debutant Segner, who transitioned from German football before landing an overseas scholarship. Their unconventional rise through the domestic ranks culminates in competing for silverware on European soil.
Key points
European-born players Holland and Segner successfully progressed through the New Zealand…: European-born players Holland and Segner successfully progressed through the New Zealand domestic rugby system to secure national test honors.
Both athletes have secured Super Rugby contracts, with Holland joining the Otago Highland…: Both athletes have secured Super Rugby contracts, with Holland joining the Otago Highlanders and Segner signing with the Auckland Blues.
The duo is actively competing to help the All Blacks claim the inaugural Nations Champion…: The duo is actively competing to help the All Blacks claim the inaugural Nations Championship title during their November European tour.
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Nov 5 : New Zealand internationals Fabian Holland and Anton Segner return to Europe this month for the Nations Championship after remarkably similar journeys into test rugby from unexpected origins.
Dutch-born Holland, 24, and German Segner, 25, are both part of the All Blacks squad for their Nations Championship clashes against Scotland, Wales and England this month and the final weekend at Twickenham from November 27-29, having taken an extraordinary path to the pinnacle of the sport.
Both moved to New Zealand as teenagers to further their fledgling rugby careers from countries where the game has little visibility and professional opportunities are severely limited.
They were both All Blacks fans - Segner practising the haka at his home in Frankfurt and Holland's mother taking her 10-year-old son to Murrayfield to watch the All Blacks in November 2012 where the Dutch-born winger Tim Visser scored two tries for the home side in a 51-22 defeat.
"He was my inspiration by showing that you didn't have to play for the Netherlands if you were Dutch-born," said Holland, who started playing rugby at…
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