Such a return would have seemed highly unlikely just over a year ago when Thomson was laid up in hospital in Japan with a serious spine infection. Now, he is poised to play the game in the new United States league.
Thomson, who played 29 tests for the All Blacks from 2008-12, has signed to play immediately for the Utah Warriors in the United States major league rugby competition and will also stay on and play next season.
His has been a career of ups and downs.
He played sevens for New Zealand early on but did not crack Super Rugby until he was 26. But he was one of the best for the Highlanders in the five seasons when he played
for the franchise.
Thomson made his All Black debut in 2008.
After leaving the Highlanders at the end of the 2012 season, Thomson played in Japan and also for the Rebels and Reds in Australia.
He was hospitalised with the serious spinal infection around Christmas 2017 which was diagnosed as lumbar discitis, a painful infection of the spine. He was in hospital for nearly two months and lost a lot of weight. He returned to New Zealand about a year ago and has been working on his recovery and fitness.
But at 37 it is a surprise that Thomson is getting back on the field and he has committed to playing into 2020.
Meanwhile, Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava, who is being tipped to have a bright future, was back at the grassroots level over the weekend.
Not included in the Highlanders squad for the match in Japan against the Sunwolves in Tokyo, Fakatava (19) ended up playing premier two grade rugby for the Dunedin club on Saturday.
Fakatava, who plays at a provincial level for Hawke's Bay, turned out for the first half of the side's game against West Taieri at Outram.
The Dunedin premier side had a bye last Saturday so Fakatava, who has linked with the Dunedin club for this season, played for its second side instead.
Dunedin ended up winning the match and taking the Richard Perkins Cup.
Fakatava is yet to start a game for the Highlanders but has impressed in his appearance so far this season.
He is from Tonga and has not completed the residency requirements to be eligible for the New Zealand Colts this season.
