He is about to play on his home ground, he has been praised by his coach as the form loose forward of the Super 14, and he has the small matter of taking the place of one of the best rugby players on the planet.
"I know that there will be a bit of a spotlight on me. But I'm ready to get in there and give it a good crack," he said yesterday.
Thomson (27), the only Otago player in the squad, takes the openside flanker position, replacing injured skipper Richie McCaw, for tomorrow night's test against France.
McCaw had been in Thomson's ear for part of this week, giving him a few pointers and telling him what to do.
But McCaw will be in the stand tomorrow night, leaving the job of fetching and creating continuity in the All Blacks game to Thomson.
"Richie is a world-class player and a key to the All Blacks. So as soon as someone puts on that jersey there is a big expectation on them," Thomson said.
He acknowledges the openside flank role is different from the blindside flank.
"It is a little bit different. You need to make those little adjustments in the set piece.
"As a job, it is pretty much about defence, staying close to Stephen [first five-eighth Stephen Donald] and running those right lines and having a high work rate."
But which does he prefer?
"If you had asked me a year ago what I would have preferred, I would have said six, but now I'm really enjoying seven."
The last time he played with the No 7 jersey on his back at Carisbrook, he dominated a match for Otago against Wellington, scoring two tries and having the ball follow him all night.
More of that would be much enjoyed tomorrow night.
Thomson starred in the No 6 jersey for the Highlanders this season, picking up the player of the year award for the southern franchise, but it is a different kettle of fish, pulling on the black jersey.
"Test rugby is a massive step up. The time and space you get is cut down. You're coming up against a team of good players, rather than against a spread of good individuals."
He was never told of the selectors' plans to consider him as an openside for the All Blacks.
Injuries to other players undoubtedly helped, but Thomson's speed and work rate led Henry to saying Thomson would not have been left out.
"I never had much contact with the selectors. At the end of last year's tour I was told to go away and work on certain things."
That included being more aggressive at the breakdown, bringing more physicality into his game, and creating more turnover possession.
The question of his personal make-up has also hung over him.
He has had a roller coaster six months, after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Joanna Holley, last December, and also having to overcome a niggling thumb injury.
The assault case was dismissed for lack of evidence last week, but All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen said this week, the selectors also wanted Thomson to work on hischaracter after the Grand Slam tour.
"I think that meant being a bit more a part of the team, being selfless and really aware of the people around you.
"The All Blacks are a close knit team and it is successful when it is close, so it is about fitting into that model.
"You've got to do everything well for the team."
Thomson said he had learned from his past six months, which had improved his character and made him a better person.
