Former All Blacks and Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson has revealed the extent of the debilitating illness that nearly ended his playing career towards the end of 2017.
Living in Japan playing for the Canon Eagles, Thomson was struck down by what turned out to be discitis of the lumbar, an infection of the space between discs in the spine.
The condition saw Thomson out of action for the entirety of 2018, before this year returning to rugby first in the USA with the Utah Warriors, and now returning to Otago in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.
Speaking to 1 NEWS this afternoon, Thomson spoke openly about his recovery process, and coming back from a condition that could have seen him have to walk away from rugby entirely.
"It's a process, you can't really have a year and half from rugby and expect to jump back [to] where you left off," he said.
"Physically, I feel better than when I went into hospital.
"Taking that time to actually strip it back to basics, almost rebuilding from the ground up.
"I lost almost 12 kilograms, all my strength and everything was gone. Having to teach yourself to walk again and really start from the start."
Despite the ordeal, though, Thomson is choosing to look at the positive at the nearly career ending infection.
"That was a blessing in the end. I actually got to get back in the gym and lift the 5 kilogram dumbells, and start to squat with the broom handle.
"When I say rebuild, I mean rebuild from the start."
Now fit and firing on all cylinders once again, the 29-Test All Black is aiming to get back to rugby, starting with Otago and the Mitre 10 Cup this season.
"I feel good, the fitness is good. Just match fitness is the last box to tick. Strength is back to where it was before the illness, and the hunger's there, that's the main thing, the hunger to be involved in rugby and to play again, and to contribute is burning."
Otago begin their Mitre 10 Cup campaign on August 17, taking on Southland in a defence of the Ranfurly Shield.
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