Josh Moorby, Anton Segner give All Blacks coach plenty to ponder after memorable debuts
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Two All Blacks test debuts, two extended opportunities, two big impressions made and two young men now firmly of the belief that dreams indeed do come true.
Throw in being part of a night where some special history was made, via Will Jordan’s try-scoring exploits, and All Blacks debutants Josh Moorby, on his 28th birthday no less, and Anton Segner both walked off Hnry Stadium’s turf in Wellington on a chilly Saturday evening feeling the proverbial million dollars on the back of a 47-17 victory over Italy that had its anxious moments, but was eventually executed with a degree of ease.
For local hero Moorby it was an occasion dripping with poignancy as he completed a storybook return to New Zealand, after a season spent plying his trade with Montpellier in France, by stacking a test debut on his home track, with his family sitting in the stands, on top of a memorable Super Rugby Pacific title triumph on the same ground just weeks hitherto.
“It’s a hell of a birthday present, eh,” said Moorby, still dripping sweat from the aftermath of 49 productive minutes spent in relief of Leroy Carter on the left wing after the latter picked up an AC joint (shoulder) niggle. “Coming home, there was that desire in my gut to really make use of this chance. I was incredibly lucky the Hurricanes allowed me to play a great brand of rugby in a great system, just putting my head down and trying to get to work.
“A lot of people might dream of this, and for me it is a dream come true. I’m extremely grateful for the people who have been on my journey and have always pushed me to keep growing and developing as a person and player.”
Moorby certainly made the most of his extended opportunity, running for 86 metres on eight carries, making four line-breaks and beating a trio of defenders. Two of his rapier thrusts led directly to tries, to Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, respectively, and he must now be firmly in the frame for a role on Saturday against Ireland at Eden Park, with his coach making comparisons between the 17-try Canes speedster and Jordan whose three five-pointers on Saturday made him the leading All Blacks try-scorer of all time.
Segner, too, got through his work well, coming on at the halftime break for Luke Jacobson on the flank after the rugged loosie felt cramp in his calf. He carried for 23m over the second 40 and nailed all six tackles attempted as he became the first Germany-born All Black.
“I thought they were both excellent,” said Rennie. “Josh has got similar qualities to Will. His anticipation, his ability to get into position to take a pass or give a pass to create an opportunity for somebody else … he’s just a really smart footy player.
“With Anton we got what we expected. He carries hard, he cleans hard, his post-tackle presence … it’s exciting for those guys. They got a little more time than we anticipated, so they both acquitted themselves really well.”
The Frankfurt-born and raised Segner had all of his German family in the stands, after they cut it fine making the long haul to New Zealand to take in the biggest moment of his storybook career.
“They were supposed to be here for captain’s run, but only one of my two brothers made it in time, and then my mum, dad and other brother all came in on separate flights. Then a few other surprise guests like [Tasman team-mate and close friend] Leicester Fainga’anuku came on top of it. It was a whirlwind, with a lot of emotion and a very special time for myself and my family.”
Asked to describe what it all meant, from his initial selection to the reality of 40 minutes in the test arena, he added: “The words that describe it best are it’s a dream come true. In Germany back when I was 9 years old it was a very distant dream. I remember getting up in the middle of the night to watch the All Blacks play the 2011 World Cup, watching them do the haka, and being able to experience all that first-hand today is special.”
No one had more to celebrate late on a chilly Saturday night in the capital than Jordan, who now has 50 tries in 56 tests and has left legends such as Doug Howlett, Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu and Julian Savea in his dust.
He spoke about being “humbled” to have surpassed so many greats of the game, about his pride in being able to contribute to the All Blacks legacy and his happiness to play either wing or fullback to “a world-class level”. He also nominated his two favourite scores among his half-century of tries.
“The most I’ve ever felt the crowd in behind was probably the try I scored here against the Irish in 2022, off an inside ball from Ardie [Savea]. I felt the crowd really lift. The other one was the World Cup quarterfinal against the Irish as well.”
Those same Irish are up again this week. They had best be prepared for a man who has now crossed the chalk five times in two tests this year.