Former All Black Adam Thomson will join the Melbourne Rebels for the 2016 Super Rugby season after impressing in stints with the Highlanders and the Queensland Reds.

A blindside flanker or No.8, Thomson was a member of the New Zealand squad which won the 2011 World Cup and played 29 Tests before heading offshore.

He has scored 21 tries in 83 Super Rugby games.

“Adam will bring a great deal of experience, ability and dynamism to our squad,” said Rebels coach Tony McGahan.

“He has proven himself to be one of the top loose forwards in the Southern Hemisphere over a sustained period.”