Remarkable return for ex-All Black Thomson
Adam Thomson’s return to Super Rugby in Tokyo tomorrow will be remarkable for several reasons.
By rights the former All Blacks loose forward, who will celebrate his 38th birthday next month, should be deep in post-rugby life instead of making his first appearance for the Chiefs against the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Instead, he’s still on the fields, churning away in the professional rugby circus. His story is unique.
In late 2017 Thomson entered Tsukuba Memorial hospital in Tokyo, where he was to stay for the next 57 days, because he had a painful infection of the spine called lumbar discitis.
In addition to being in great pain, he was unable to walk. The fact doctors initially struggled to diagnose what was causing such discomfort must have been frightening, and at the time his prospects of continuing to earn an income as a rugby player in Japan, or anywhere else for that matter, seemed remote.
Once his recovery was complete Thomson was grateful for the opportunity to be mobile and, later, to continue to play rugby.
‘‘It’s a strange old beast this life we live,’’ Thomson posted on social media after he was called in as an injury replacement to join the Chiefs at training last month.
‘‘This time two years ago I was flat on my back in a Japanese hospital unable to walk. So never underestimate what the human body can do with a little self belief and a whole lot of work – persistence pays.’’
He and Chiefs team-mate Aaron Cruden are the only remaining members of the successful 2011 World Cup squad to still be involved in Super Rugby in New Zealand.
They would also have been joined by Sam Whitelock, had the lock not been granted permission by NZ Rugby to skip the tournament to play in Japan.
Thomson is a durable character, that’s obvious.
The 29-test All Black’s outing at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium will coincide with him representing his fourth Super Rugby club, having previously been involved with the Rebels, Reds and Highlanders.
It’s not quite on the same scale as Chiefs team-mate Ross Geldenhuys, Super Rugby’s busiest journeyman with six different clubs on his CV, but it’s impressive all the same.
Prop Geldenhuys, no doubt, has had to suffer his share of pain and discomfort from his time in the front row but nothing as dramatic as what Thomson had to endure when he was convalescing in Japan.
Or fellow Chiefs prop Atu Moli, for that matter.
The All Black missed nearly all
‘‘It’s a strange old beast this life we live . . . this time two years ago I was flat on my back in a Japanese hospital unable to walk. So never underestimate what the human body can do with a little self belief and a whole lot of work – persistence pays.’’
Adam Thomson, pictured
of the 2018 season because of a serious leg injury. Due to compartment syndrome in his left quadriceps, he had to have his leg routinely cut open to release the pressure.
A surgeon warned the worstcase scenario, if the injury didn’t heal, was for the leg to be amputated. Moli recovered, returned to decent form in 2019 and was selected for the All Blacks’ World Cup squad to play in Japan.
The most famous case of a player departing ways with a part of his anatomy was when All Blacks flanker Dick ‘‘Red’’ Conway had his finger snipped off prior to a tour of South Africa in 1960.
He busted the digit playing softball, and it didn’t set properly.
In addition to being a hindrance at work, he was a carpenter, it wasn’t of much assistance during Conway’s sporting pursuits either. Off with it, he decided. Conway was picked for the trip to South Africa, making 15 appearances and starting three of the four tests. In 1965 he played all four tests against the touring All Blacks.
The final resting place of his finger is unknown. But the reputation of Conway, much like the tenacious Thomson, has endured.