Kaino, who will miss most of the year because of a shoulder injury, last week announced he will take up a two-year contract to play with Japanese club side Toyota next season leaving behind a 1.96m, 105kg hole in the All Blacks that will be hard to fill.
Thomson will do his best to be that man and has made another good start to a Super Rugby season. He makes a welcome return to a Highlanders side looking to bounce back from their 33-26 defeat to the Brumbies last weekend. He missed the game with a neck injury and hopes his form will be enough to earn an All Blacks jersey in 2012.
The 30-year-old is off contract at the end of the season and won't make any decisions until he sees how the rest of the year pans out.
"I'm not sure [what I will do],'' he said. "I'm looking at my options. I'm certainly happy at the moment and we will see how the All Blacks go this year and assess at the end, I think.
"It's the stage of my career I want to be playing the best I can and at the highest level I can. If I'm not up to playing for the All Blacks any more, then I will have to have a look at what I am up to.''
Thomson has played 24 tests, including a handful at last year's World Cup, and his importance to the All Blacks has increased with Kaino's injury and imminent departure.
Blindside is his best position but he can play anywhere in the loose forwards and is a key lineout option. The Highlanders certainly rely on him heavily in this area, and against the Chiefs in the opening round of the season they targeted him on 11 of their throws.
Victor Vito is growing into a good player and the fact he was called into the World Cup squad ahead of Liam Messam would suggest he's another strong candidate. Messam's lack of effectiveness at lineout time counts against him and Hansen might also contemplate employing an openside like Matt Todd or Sam Cane.
"It's sad to see Jerome go,'' Thomson said. "He's a close friend of mine and we have obviously had a lot to do with each other.
"He's obviously a world-class player and will be a big loss to New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks but these things happen and it's an opportunity for the rest of us. I'm sure one of us will step up and have a crack at it.
"It's always an opportunity whether Jerome is here or not. The competition is here and the best player usually takes that jersey. There are plenty of quality loose forwards around who are playing well. One man goes and new guys come along so nothing really changes.''
There are plenty of new faces in the Highlanders for tomorrow's game against the Rebels in Invercargill as they get to grips with their huge injury toll.
Thomson and fellow All Black Jarrad Hoeata return but they will have to do without All Blacks Colin Slade (broken leg) and Andrew Hore (calf) as well as openside John Hardie (toe) and lock Nick Crosswell (knee). These come on top of the injuries to Lima Sopoaga (fractured scapula), Kenny Lynn (fractured neck), Siale Piutau (broken ankle) and wing Telusa Veainu (concussion).
"It's disappointing but injuries are part of rugby,'' Thomson said. "You never want to lose guys, especially your top players, but unfortunately it's nothing new to us. We had the same thing happen last year.
"I think we have better depth this season after the recruitment we made in the off-season and the fact players have been here a bit longer have had another season under their belt. They have grown as players and now they get their opportunities. Hopefully it goes well.''
Highlanders team to play the Rebels at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill, tomorrow (7.35pm): Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Tamati Ellison, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear, Chris Noakes, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Adam Thomson, James Haskell, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (c). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Ma'afu Fia, Culum Retallick, Doug Tietjens, Jimmy Cowan, Phil Burleigh, Buxton Popoali'i.
