New Zealand-born prop Tim Fairbrother could represent the Wallabies before ever playing a Super 14 match for an Australian franchise.

Fairbrother, currently plying his trade with the Hurricanes, will link up with Western Force on June 1 on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old has Australian-born grandparents, meaning he is eligible to play for the Wallabies, starting with the match against the Barbarians on June 6.

But the 119kg tighthead prop faces a significant challenge to knock Al Baxter off his perch, while Matt Dunning is also close to resuming after a serious Achilles tendon injury.

Fairbrother will replace departing prop Ben Castle at the Force.

But unlike Castle, Fairbrother won't occupy a marquee international position at the Perth-based franchise.

Fairbrother made his Hurricanes debut in 2003 but has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot in recent times, mainly due to the presence of All Black Neemia Tialata.

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