Former All Black left unable to walk

The former All Black Adam Thomson, who has spent the past week in hospital in Tokyo unable to walk, has been diagnosed with lumbar discitis, a painful infection of the spine.

Thomson, 35, who played 29 tests for the All Blacks, was rushed to hospital in the middle of the night and admits it will be a lengthy recovery process.

He was in so much pain in the lower back he could not walk.

On social media he said "it's been a tough week full of unexpected challenges. It's going to be a long road to get back on my feet but I' up for it..."

It was touch and go for a while there and we almost had to amputate but to the credit of this crack Japanese medical team they were able to save the moustache. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But in all seriousness it's been a tough week full of unexpected challenges. It's going to be a long road to get back on my feet but I'm up for it. I'm overwhelmed by all the love and support from friends and family all over the planet, words can't express what it means, I didn't expect such a big response. I'm humbled and my thanks and love go back to you all! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here's a little Xmas cheer from my hospital bed in Tokyo, give all your loved ones an extra big hug this year, don't take anything for granted! Merry Christmas x ❤️

A post shared by Adam Thomson (@adamjohnthomson) on Dec 25, 2017 at 3:40am PST

He hasn't lost his sense of humour though "it was touch and go for awhile there and we almost had to amputate but to the credit of this crack Japanese medical team they were able to save the moustache."