AFTER going through the pain barrier when playing with a broken arm in a bid to prove himself at Stade Francais, powerhouse Samoan Brandon Nansen is looking to inflict some damage on opponents to earn his stripes at the Dragons.

The 24-year-old lock has linked up with his new teammates this week after helping his country secure a World Cup spot with victory in Germany last weekend.

Nansen has come to Rodney Parade from Stade Francais, where his hopes of proving himself in Europe were ended by injury.

The Aucklander was signed by the Parisians to cover for injuries in December and started at blindside flanker against Castres, Bordeaux-Begles and Montpellier.

However, the clash against Pau at the Stade Jean Bouin would be his last appearance for the famous Top 14 club.

"I went into a tackle in the first four minutes of the game but connected with his hip and heard a snap," said Nansen.

"I thought it was a 'stinger' and played on to see what would happen. They scored about five minutes after it and I knew something was up because I tried to flex my arm and heard another loud crack.

"The doc came over and I asked for him to strap it up, he said 'mate, that's broken', but I strapped it up and played on until nearly half-time.

"I had to prove myself to them and if you want something bad enough then all that stuff passes through you. It was crazy and something is loose up top!

"I don't know how I got through it, to be honest. When it happened I thought that I might as well go out with a bang."

Now the 6ft 6ins, 18st Samoan, who has a sizeable scar on his inner left forearm courtesy of the injury, will be tasked with providing a bang with ball in hand and in defence for the Dragons.

Head coach Bernard Jackman is a long-time admirer of Nansen and has predicted that he will become an "enforcer" with a physical edge.

"I describe myself as someone who just does their job," said Nansen humbly.

"If they need be to put in a big hit then I will do it, if they need me to clean rucks for 80 minutes straight then I will do it.

"There is healthy competition at lock and in the back row. I don't want to take a backward step and the coaches will choose whoever is best for the job.

"I have to earn my stripes again in a new city; that's my motivation and I want to earn the respect of the boys.

"This is a proud region and I don't want to let the jersey down. I can't wait to get into it with a new team.

"I came to Europe and had a few options, staying in France or in the UK. I talked to Bernard and he sold me the dream to come here and prove a point, at a team that's long been struggling.

"I want to be a part of changing that with a team that is looking to make some noise."

Nansen will also be fuelled by earning selection for Japan 2019 after winning his third cap in Germany.

The forward, who earned a Super Rugby contract with the Blues thanks to his exploits with North Harbour only to suffer a knee injury, made his Test bow as a replacement in Romania last autumn.

He came off the bench again versus Tonga in June and started in Germany to help secure a place in Pool A with hosts Japan, Ireland, Scotland and Russia.

"I didn't think that I would get picked for Samoa [this summer], based on the fact that I haven't had much game time. They put their faith in me," said Nansen.

"Qualifying for the World Cup is massive for a proud nation like Samoa, some of the previous results hadn't gone our way but we want to put ourselves back on the map and bring that fear when people play Samoa.

"Most of the boys play in the UK, France or Super Rugby, I definitely want to put my hand up for World Cup selection, so my first job is to impress with the Dragons and go from there."