Thomson returns to club rugby
Former All Black Adam Thomson’s tough road back to New Zealand rugby is officially under way, at 37-years-old.
The loose forward turned out for the Takapuna Rugby Club last Saturday, in their win over Massey, just over a year on from spending two months in hospital after suffering from lumbar discitis (a painful infection of the spine).
The injury forced the former Highlander to spend an extended period of time away from the game. He did return earlier this year for the Utah Warriors in the United States Major League Rugby campaign, before returning to New Zealand and linking with Takapuna.
Thompson was joined on the paddock last week by All Black prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, who ran out in his blazer game for the club.
Tu’inukuafe was one of several All Blacks who returned to club rugby last weekend.
Takapuna head coach Blair Ulrich said the injection of his two marquee players was great for not only his club, but club rugby in general.
‘‘We have a very young side, so having those experienced heads back last weekend was awesome and you could really notice the difference it had on the group,’’ Ulrich said.
‘‘It’s awesome that those big name guys like Karl and the other All Blacks put their hands up to come back to club-land.’’
Tu’inukuafe spent an extended period of time post match out on the field taking photos with locals following the one-point win. He will now resume All Blacks duties.
But Thomson is sticking around, and will play his third game for Takapuna this Saturday in their semifinal.
Stuff also understands Thomson is set to ink a new deal with North Harbour Rugby. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who just 18 months ago was bed-bound in a Tokyo hospital with a crippling back injury.
‘‘Adam joined us a few weeks a go but was only cleared to play the week before last,’’ Ulrich said.
‘‘I saw straight away what he brought to the team so we decided to start him last weekend and I said we would monitor his minutes. But once he was on, there was no pulling him off.’’
In a Takapuna side where the average age is in the early 20s, Thomson’s maturity and leadership have been of great value down the home stretch.
Thomson played for the All Blacks at the 2011 World Cup and made more than 100 Super Rugby appearances for the Highlanders, Reds and Rebels. He also earned 29 test caps between 2008 and 2012.
Takapuna will face East Coast Bays in their semifinal on Saturday from Windsor Park, kick-off at 2.45pm.