Perth - Experienced New Zealand flyhalf David Hill has joined injury-hit Western Force as their marquee player for the remainder of the Super 14 season, officials said on Friday.
Hill, 31, has been loaned by Japanese side Toshiba and replaces injured Springbok Andre Pretorius, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in pre-season training.
Hill has played in Japan for the past two seasons, winning Player of the Year honours last year after appearing in 58 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs and a further 60 matches for Waikato province.
"It has been a hectic couple of weeks but now it is all about getting the on-field things right and fitting into the team structures as quickly as possible," Hill said.
Hill will be available for selection when the Force take on the Reds in Brisbane on March 14.