Blade Thomson has announced his retirement from rugby — the second big-name import in the space of a week to flag up his departure from the Scarlets.
The New Zealand-born player follows Sione Kione Kalamafoni, who is joining French second-tier club Vannes at the end of the season on a two-year deal.
In Thomson’s case, he is finishing after a head injury, one of several such knocks the mobile and athletic back rower has had over the years. Many in New Zealand felt he could have been an All Black but for injuries. Instead, he came to Britain and featured for Scotland, qualifying via his paternal grandfather and winning 10 caps.
READ MORE: Alun Wyn Jones says strike threat is real as Gatland admits he would not support it
He bows out after 54 appearances for the Scarlets since arriving in 2018. A player who unfailingly put his body on the line, he played with considerable skill and was a popular member of the squad. Dwayne Peel dubbed the affable Aucklander as “one of the best technical forwards” he has coached.
But Thomson has decided it is time to call it a day. “Myself and my family have come to this decision and I’d like to thank everyone, coaches, players, the back-room and medical staff and all the fans for their support,” he said.
“We’ve been made welcome from the moment we came to Llanelli. It’s a special place to play and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, making more than 50 appearances for the Scarlets and having the honour of representing Scotland. We will leave with fond memories of our time here.”
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Blade has been an outstanding Scarlet, on and off the field and we are sad to hear this news, but it is the right decision. He is one of the best technical forwards I have coached, a player who gave everything to the cause and a hugely popular member of the squad.”
Scarlets supporters will remember Thomson fondly as he was a huge favourite of theirs. One particular image sticks clearly in the mind, underlining how much the man from the other side of the world was prepared to give to the region.
It is of Thomson at the end of a match against the Ospreys in October 2018, collapsing to his knees at the end of the game as emotion poured out of him. A close friend had passed away unexpectedly in New Zealand and, thousands of miles away, Thomson couldn’t make it home at short notice. Selflessly, he didn’t make a fuss beforehand, not wanting to disrupt team preparations for a huge derby.
The match was typically hard-fought, with Thomson having the final say as he cut down Alun Wyn Jones with a vital tackle near the end, helping the Scarlets hold on for a 20-17 win.
At the final whistle he sank to the ground, tears flowing as Will Boyde and Josh Macleod rushed to console him.
It was an effort from Thomson which went above and beyond that day.
There were plenty of other whole-hearted performances, with the No. 8, flanker or lock adept at winning turnovers and supporting flowing attacks with his fitness and ball-handling skills.
There will be a presentation to Thomson immediately after Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh.
READ MORE:
Wales rugby team walk out of huge WRU sponsors dinner early in premeditated decision
Sam Warburton backs 'shafted' players to strike and claims region close to entering administration
English team could join WRU, merge with Welsh region and play in London under radical proposal
Wales players told they've been paid unaffordable salaries for years as WRU boss meets with squad
