Thomson: Japan has the recipe right
The Japanese Top League may not be regarded as the toughest domestic competition in the world, but it has one major advantage.
Apart from the, obvious, cash boost, players can prolong their careers away from the brutal SANZAR competitions.
This is the view of Queensland Reds recruit Adam Thomson, who is about to complete a two-year stint with the Tokyo-based Eagles before returning to Super Rugby.
The 29-times capped 32-year-old All Black described the game in Japan as "very different", but said the major advantage is the five-month pre-season – which is in stark contrast to the relative brief six-week off-season SANZAR teams enjoy.
"That was what I was after, a change," Thomson said in an interview from Tokyo.
He spoke of having wanted to be in a different place, experience a different culture and have different goals.
"When I left New Zealand I was pretty beat up," the veteran loose forward said, adding: "I had been playing Super Rugby for a number of years, playing for the Highlanders – which is a pretty brutal outfit.
"I played Test rugby on top of that.
"The body was worn down and mentally I was doing the same thing over and over.
"Japan freshened me up, I played a different style of rugby.
"Having a five-month pre-season was massive – being in the gym, get the body right and physically training for five months before playing rugby is massive.
"We get six weeks back home, so there is a big difference.
"I did that two years in a row, playing a fast style of rugby that is not as physical.
"It gave me the drive again to play a high level of rugby – the body is feeling good and the mind is ready."
Thomson said he was "really excited" to ply top level rugby again.
"The style that the Reds play suits me," he said from Tokyo.
"I love playing attacking rugby and with as bit of flair – that was a big drawcard in joining the Reds.
"They throw the ball around and have a crack."
He said there is some exciting players at the Reds, some big names and a lot of talent.
But it is the chance of winning a Super Rugby title that really excites him.
"I have personal standards of how I like to play the game and nothing has changed in terms of my desire to perform and get better," Thomson said, adding: "Also, to be part of a championship team.
"I would love to win a Super Rugby title and we have the talent here [at the Reds] to do it.
"I will look to see what I can offer, be that through playing or passing on the knowledge I gained through the years of playing.
"It [winning a Super Rugby title] is a process and not something that will just happen overnight."
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