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Eleventh hour bid: Otago in talks with former All Black Adam Thomson over unlikely hometown return
Two weeks after reports emerged suggesting that former All Blacks loose forward Adam Thomson was set to sign a deal with North Harbour ahead of the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup campaign, Otago have voiced their interest in pursuing the 37-year-old, three weeks out from the new season.
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The 29-test World Cup winner has returned to New Zealand in recent months after stints abroad and has been spotted plying his trade for Takapuna in the North Harbour premier club competition.
A report from Stuff a fortnight ago stated that it understood that Thomson was set to ink a contract with North Harbour Rugby, which would presumably see him turn out for their Mitre 10 Cup side after a seven-year absence from the New Zealand domestic game.
However, a new report from the Otago Daily Times has revealed that Otago Rugby have been in talks with Thomson, who played 54 times for the province between 2004 and 2012, about the possibility of returning to Dunedin for this year’s Mitre 10 Cup, although nothing from North Harbour or Otago has been finalised.
A return to the top flight of New Zealand domestic rugby would add to Thomson’s remarkable recovery from lumbar discitis, a painful infection of the spine which left him unable to walk and kept him hospitalised in Tokyo from between December 2017 and February 2018, while he was under contract with Top League side, the Canon Eagles.
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Thomson, who has previously played for the Highlanders, Reds and Rebels in Super Rugby, hasn’t played professionally since being released from hospital, but he did sign with the Utah Warriors in the Major League Rugby competition in April.
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However, visa issues restricted him from playing at all in the United States this season, although he is signed with the side until the end of next season.
The MLR off-season coincides with the Mitre 10 Cup season, making a move back to New Zealand plausible for Thomson, whose last appearance in the competition came during Otago’s 41-16 loss at the hands of Counties Manukau in the 2012 Championship final, where he scored his team’s sole try.
Otago head coach Ben Herring has already named a 28-man squad for this season, but there is still room for further additions, especially with the absences of All Blacks Ben Smith, Liam Coltman and Josh Ioane throughout the Rugby Championship and World Cup.
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As it stands, Dylan Nel, James Lentjes, Slade McDowall, Joketani Koroi and Sione Misiloi are the only loose forwards that have been named in the Otago squad for this season.
Thomson would add some much-needed experience to Herring’s youthful squad, which was given a massive fright by Heartland Championship titleholders Thames Valley during their Ranfurly Shield challenge in Wanaka last week, with the Swamp Foxes taking an unlikely 13-7 lead into half-time following a plethora of errors from the Razorbacks.
However, the hosts – who were missing some big names such as captain and Blues fullback Michael Collins, Highlanders midfielder Sio Tomkinson and New Zealand Sevens star Vilimoni Koroi – pulled away in the second half, taking out the encounter 41-21 to hold onto the Log o’ Wood, and will take on local rivals North Otago in Oamaru next Friday in the second of their two pre-season challenges.
Otago’s 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign kicks off against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on August 11.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments