23 February 2010 12:45
All Black joins the Force
Former All Blacks first five-eighths David Hill will join the Western Force as cover for the injury-plagued Super 14 franchise
sport@newzealandtimes.co.uk

The 31-year-old former Chiefs and Waikato star will join former Force flyer Scott Staniforth in Perth in an attempt to lift the side from dead last in the competition after the opening two weeks.

Hill made a cameo for New Zealand's national side in 2006 when he came off the bench for his first and only appearance in the black jersey but is more than able to handle the pressures of playing in the 10 jersey in the Super 14.

Hill will replace former Springbok pivot Andre Pretorius who was ruled out before the season even started when he tore a section of his hamstring away from the bone.

Staniforth, a former Australian international, joins his old franchise after his recent deal with Japanese club Yokogawa fell through.

The injury toll on the Force has been huge, with Pretorius, Richard Brown, David Pocock and Cameron Shepherd all facing lengthy injury spells this season.

Hill is supposed to be arriving in Perth later in the week but won't be available to take on his old Chiefs' side at ME Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

The Force sits last on the table after losing the opening two games of the season to the Brumbies and Hurricanes.

And things won't get easier against the unbeaten Chiefs, who ran in nine tries over the Lions last weekend after beating the Sharks in Durban the week before.

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