After playing 67 games for the Highlanders and being one of the best ever seen in the jersey.
Thomson (32) will play for the Reds against his old side tonight.
''Obviously my heart is with Otago and the Highlanders. I played all my rugby down here, shed blood, sweat and tears for the franchise,'' he said.
''I've made a lot of great friendships down here and it will be good to catch up with old friends and see everyone again. But I'm determined to play as well as I can.''
Thomson laughed when he suggested some Highlanders' boots may find his back if he ends up on the wrong side of a ruck.
''I don't think you can do that any more, can you ? Maybe 10-15 years ago you could have got away with it but not now.''
The 29-test loose forward said he was enjoying being at the Reds.
''One of the reasons I moved to Brisbane was not just to play rugby but to experience something different. Just to meet different people and see new cities.''
He had spent the past two years in Japan and was likely to head back there after his season finished with the Reds.
He had no plan to hang up the boots soon.
''I've talked to a few old guys and they say you know when to finish as your body tells you or mentally you can't do it any more. I don't feel I have reached either of those points yet.''
