Adam Thomson

Former All Black Adam Thomson joins the Chiefs two years after serious spine injury

The 37-year-old, a member of New Zealand's Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2011, has this week joined the Chiefs as a replacement player.

The former Highlanders, Reds and Rebels loose forward played for Otago in last season's Mitre 10 Cup after a four-year stint in Japan with the Canon Eagles.

A Chiefs spokesperson told Stuff he was only signed on as All Blacks cover until early February at this stage, but said it was "highly likely" he would play in Friday's pre-season match against the Blues in Waihi.