It was a stressful Christmas period for former All Black Adam Thomson, rushed to hospital in Japan this week.

Thomson, who played for the Rebels, Reds and Highlanders in Super Rugby and 29 All Blacks Tests, has spent the last six days in a Tokyo hospital, with an as-yet undiagnosed issue, believed to have caused the larger-than-life backrower serious pain.

His partner of six years, Jesse posted about the ordeal on Instagram before Christmas, with Thomson on the road to recovery.

"Christmas this year so far has been mostly spent in hospital with the BFG giving me the biggest fright in the 6 years we've been doing life together," she wrote.

"A few nights ago I had to rush him to A&E in the middle of the night & it's been one hell of an ordeal.

"But day three and things are finally looking up 👌🏽 There is still no official diagnosis(they suspect it's been a severe infection thats (sic) caused serious internal inflamation (sic) & excruciating pain) but I'm just so grateful to see him slowly start getting back to his old self (when he starts taking the piss, winding me up and being a menace it's a good sign!) & getting that famous Thomo sense of humour back.

"Fingers crossed tomorrow he can actually sit up and maybe even walk 🤞I'd love to have him home for Christmas day so that's the goal we are working towards atm 😊💓

"What was meant to be a holiday visit for my bro @ra_guru to spend Christmas with us has turned into THE biggest godsend right now. When Adam and I are so far from home and our family & friends at a time like this it's been especially hard so having our favourite third wheel here has been amazing. @ra_guru

"@ra_guru I'm sorry it's not quite been the holiday you were expecting but thank you for making us smile and bringing some much needed laughter back into our lives. I'm definitely counting my blessings right now and am so thankful for the people that matter the most in my life. Thank you to everyone who has sent us well wishes and reached out, it's not gone unnoticed ❤️."

The 35-year-old showed his trademark humour in a post on Instagram on Boxing Day.

The caption on the post read:

"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. 😇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"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"