Thomson will make just the second run-on appearance of his splintered Super 14 career against the Sharks at Carisbrook, ending a run of six consecutive contributions from the bench.
He has been a star performer in a battling side but until now has had to be content with a place in the reserves because of the balance of the team and the fact captain Craig Newby is generally playing on the blindside flank.
‘‘It's been one of my goals all year, to get into the starting lineup and stay there. I've seen quite a bit of game time but it's still not the same as having that starting jersey on and running out with the team,'' Thomson said.
‘‘It's been tough at times. There's always a bit of a stigma attached to missing out on the starting team and having to be on the bench.
‘‘But that's the role I've been given by the coaches. They've seen that as the best thing for the team and I've had to embrace that.
‘‘I think I've played reasonably well and when I've been on the field it's been positive. To get a crack from the start of the game now is great.''
Thomson (26) started the second game of the season, against the Brumbies, but probably made more of an impact when he replaced the injured Hayden Triggs after just 10min in the following game against the Waratahs.
Toeing ahead a loose ball, Thomson unleashed his searing pace to score a stunning individual try, his second of the season.
The former sevens star said he was relishing the opportunity to run with the ball more under the Experimental Law Variations.
‘‘I obviously see myself as a bit more of a loose player, and when the game breaks up under the new rules I think I can add something.
‘‘I've always had to work on the physical side of the game. I've probably got to concentrate on helping out in the tight a bit more.
‘‘The last 20min of the game is when it gets a bit more helterskelter. When you start, especially when you're a loose forward, you've got to get in and help out the tighties, secure the ball, and then you look to open the game up and take opportunities.''
With no specialist loose forwards in the reserves, Thomson will have to cover both No 8 and openside flanker tonight.
He has also played lock, and it is not too much of a stretch to imagine him playing on the wing if one of the outside backs went down.
Thomson has proven his ability at the top level but his frustration at not getting a regular starting spot forces him to concede the tag of utility player is unwanted.
‘‘It might have held me back a bit at times. There's so much competition in the loose forwards these days and being a bit versatile can help sometimes.
‘‘But really, you still want to nail down a position and attack it and see if you can call it your own.''
Nailing down a second win in the Super 14 will be no simple task for the Highlanders tonight.
These Sharks, hosts of last year's final, are very good. They have got star power in the backs, including mercurial French playmaker Frederic Michalak and gifted Springbok Frans Steyn, and a stable and aggressive forward pack.
There is one telling statistic: there are 14 internationals in the Sharks' squad of 22, boasting a collective 273 caps; the Highlanders have two test players, with Jimmy Cowan and Craig Newby accounting for 13 caps between them.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore knows the Sharks will present a much stiffer challenge than the Lions did last week.
‘‘I think the Sharks have some subtle differences to how some of the other South African teams play,'' Moore said.
‘‘They're very clinical in how they go about the game. They don't make a lot of errors and they've got a very sound defensive structure.''
Moore has been forced into a late change to his team, with second five-eighth Johnny Leota scratched through illness. Aaron Bancroft will start in the midfield and Mike Delany joins the bench.
