Adam Thomson (rugby union)

Adam Thomson (born 23 March 1982) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He represented the New Zealand All Blacks between 2008 and 2012, playing a total of 29 tests including two during the victorious 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. He played for the Melbourne Rebels in 2016, having also played Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds (2015) and Highlanders (2006-2012). He has also represented the Canon Eagles in Japan's Top League and New Zealand province Otago.

For other people named Adam Thomson, see Adam Thomson.

Adam Thomson
Thomson visiting Christchurch during the Rugby World Cup, September 2011
Full nameAdam John Thomson
Date of birth (1982-03-23) 23 March 1982
Place of birthAshburton, New Zealand
Height196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
SchoolChristchurch Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Current team Waikato, Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2012, 2019 Otago 62 (80)
2006–2012 Highlanders 67 (105)
2013–2017 Canon Eagles 46 (85)
2015 Reds 15 (0)
2016 Rebels 13 (5)
2017 NEC Green Rockets 10 (0)
2020 Chiefs 5 (0)
2020 Waikato 11 (10)
Correct as of 26 July 2020
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003 New Zealand U21 5 (5)
2008–2012 New Zealand 31 (30)
2011–2015 Barbarian F.C. 5 (15)
Correct as of 26 July 2020

Thomson plays mainly as a blind-side flanker (number 6). He made his All Blacks debut against Ireland as a replacement for Rodney So'oialo on 7 June 2008, helped win the World Cup in 2011, and last played for the All Blacks against Scotland in November 2012.

Early life and New Zealand representative teams

Thomson was born in Ashburton.[1] He attended Christchurch Boys' High School, and played in the same 1st XV side as fellow All Black Dan Carter. Carter revealed on Instagram, that Thomson was the captain during his time in the school's 1st XV.[2]

As he progressed through national rugby sides he played for:

  • New Zealand Secondary Schools (2000)
  • New Zealand Under 19 (2001)
  • New Zealand Under 21 (2003)
  • New Zealand Universities (2004)[3]
  • New Zealand Sevens (2007)[2]

Otago

Thomson made his debut for Otago on 17 September 2004 when he started against Waikato. Thomson played four matches (all losses) in 2004, starting in all of them.[4] In 2005 he played in five matches, starting only once.

2006 saw Thomson move to number 8 where he played five matches, including try-scoring appearances in the 56–21 win over North Harbour, and against Southland. In 2007 Thomson moved back to flanker and started in all his nine matches, scoring three tries.

By the time he left New Zealand for the 2013 season, Thomson had played 50 games for Otago, scoring 13 tries (65 points).[5]

Thomson returned to Otago on 17 August 2019, coming off the bench in the Ranfurly Shield defence against Southland.[6] Otago won the match 41–22.[7]

2006, 2008-12: Highlanders

Thomson played in three Super 14 matches for the Highlanders in 2006, all as a replacement. He was not selected for 2007, despite having a good season with Otago in the Air New Zealand Cup.

In 2008 Thomson was recalled. He began as a substitute, but played so well that midway through the season he'd become the team's top choice flanker. He played in twelve matches, scored five tries (including one in the victory over the Crusaders), and ultimately made the All Blacks squad that year.

Thomson remained at the Highlanders until he left New Zealand at the end of 2012. He finished as the Highlanders' second-highest try-scorer with 21, behind only Jeff Wilson (35). Thomson scored 6 tries in each of his last two seasons with the team, including a three-try match against the Rebels in 2012.[8]

2008-12: All Blacks

Thomson was selected for the All Blacks in June 2008, making the squad ahead of Kieran Read, who was also waiting to debut in test rugby.[9] The same squad contested the Iveco test series (against Ireland and England) and the 2008 Tri-Nations.[10] Thomson debuted off the bench against Ireland when he replaced Rodney So'oialo. He then started in the second test against England.

In 2009 he started the international season at openside flanker, filling in for captain Richie McCaw, before breaking his thumb 30 minutes into the game. Thomson was side-lined for the better half of the season before making his comeback against Australia in the final Tri-Nations match, playing at blindside flanker. He was the fastest player over 40m in the All Blacks squad of 2009.

In 2010 he made the squad for the early-season Steinlager Series against Ireland and Wales, but not the Tri-Nations or end-of-year grand slam tour.[2][11]

Thomson was a member of the victorious 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. He was an unused replacement as New Zealand beat France in the final[12]

In total he played 29 tests (12 as a substitute) and scored 6 tries for New Zealand.[3][13]

2013-14: Canon Eagles (Japan)

Thomson played for Tokyo's Canon Eagles for two years.[14]

On 1 November 2014, Thomson played for the Barbarians, scoring a try against Australia at Twickenham stadium in London.

2015: Return to Super Rugby - Reds and Rebels (Australia)

In 2015 Thomson returned to Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds.[15] He played 15 matches in the season, finishing as the team's top tackler and the competition's second-most prolific winner of opposition lineouts.[16]

On 20 July 2015, Thomson announced that had signed with the Melbourne Rebels for 2016.[16][17]

2016 return to Canon Eagles and illness

In 2016 Thomson resigned with Japan's Canon Eagles for the 2016–17 season. In late 2017, Thomson was hospitalised with a mystery illness, later found to be lumbar discitis. Thomson was in hospital for two months before being released.[18]

Nickname

He is known by supporters as the "wooly mammoth" due to his size and hair.[19]

Super Rugby statistics
As of 20 July 2016[20]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2006Highlanders303260000000
2008Highlanders126665450002500
2009Highlanders13130104020001010
2010Highlanders1212096020001000
2011Highlanders1313099660003000
2012Highlanders15150120050002500
2015Reds1515011670000020
2016Rebels131219481000500
Total96861069912100010530

References
  1. Adam Thomson at AllBlacks.com
  2. "Adam Thomson (profile)". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax (stuff.co.nz). 23 August 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  3. Palenski, Ron (2014). The All Blackography: The indispensable guide to every All Black. Auckland, New Zealand: Upstart Press. p. 508. ISBN 978-1-927262-16-0.
  4. "Adam Thomson profile". ESPN (UK). Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  5. "Player statistics - Adam Thomson". It's Rugby. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  6. "Otago not dwelling on Shield defence". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  7. "Otago overcome Southland in Shield defence". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  8. "For the record". The Highlanders. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  9. "All Blacks squad announced". allblacks.com. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  10. "Six new caps in All Blacks squad". The New Zealand Herald. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  11. "All Blacks squad named for 2010 Investec Tri Nations". New Zealand Rugby Union. 27 June 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  12. "2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France". BBC. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  13. "Adam Thomson player profile". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  14. "Former All Black Adam Thomson signs with Reds". One News (TVNZ). Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  15. "St.George Queensland Reds Sign Former All Blacks Back-rower Adam Thomson (10/8/2014)". Reds Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  16. "Former All Black signs with Rebels". The New Zealand Herald. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  17. "World Cup Winner Adam Thomson Joins the Club (20 July, 2015)". Melbourne Rebels. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  18. "Eleventh hour bid: Otago in talks with former All Black Adam Thomson over unlikely hometown return (20 July, 2019)". rugbypass. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  19. "Cult hero Adam Thomson returns to face Highlanders in Reds jersey". Stuff. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  20. "Player Statistics". its rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  • "Adam who?". nzherald.co.nz. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
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