Career
He was a flanker and number eight in rugby union and then a prop/second row in league when he switched codes in 1991. In both rugby and league he was unusual, being a forward who kicked goals. Hill was also a very promising fast bowler and belligerent batsman in cricket for both Taranaki and Canterbury before rugby took over his career.
He originally played rugby union as a flanker for the Taranaki, Canterbury and Wellington.
He also represented the New Zealand Māori Team. Hill returned to rugby union in 1998 and played out the rest of his playing career in Wellington and alternating in the off seasons to Europe and Canada playing club rugby.
He first made a name for himself as a 17-year-old when beat the cream of New Zealand rugby in a national goal kicking competition. Participants included Grant Fox, Richard Wilson, Mark Finlay, Allan Hewson, Richard Dunn and Robbie Deans – notable for being All Blacks.
One of those brothers – Joe Warbrick went on to become an All Black and play a major part in the beginnings of All Black rugby.
Other notables were the famous All Black lock cum flanker during the 50"s Stan "Tiny" Hill who later went on to be an All Black selector. Tiny"s two sons" Stan and John went on to represent New Zealand in Basketball and Stans" son Ben now is a current Tall Black. Hill coached club rugby in the Wairarapa domestic club competition.
He is now residing in Auckland coaching the Auckland Storm in the Air New Zealand Cup for 2008.
He switched to rugby league in 1992, as union was not professional at that time. He played for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (1992-1993), Featherstone Rovers (1993), Waikato Cougars (1994), Auckland Warriors (1995-1996) and for the New Zealand Kiwis (1992-1996) national side.
After Hill finished with the Auckland Warriors, he played a season in the domestic club competition in Auckland with the Northcote Tigers before he moved to Wellington and returned to rugby union successfully. Hill"s transition from rugby union to rugby league was even more remarkable because he is one of the few forwards in rugby union to successfully make the switch.
Hill made the New Zealand Kiwis only after three games of rugby league for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.