NEW Zealander Nick Crosswell is up for the fight at Newport Gwent Dragons in more ways than one.

The back row forward didn't take long to show his qualities on his debut for the region against Exeter last Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who has played Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, Highlanders and Chiefs, made plenty of yards with carries around the fringes in the early stages.

He continued to impress with his appetite for graft then later on was to the fore as the Dragons hammered away at the Chiefs' line, playing a key role in the driving lineout and taking one cheeky tap penalty before ploughing head-first into the defence.

It was a no-nonsense debut that made it clear that Crosswell was being self-deprecating when his initial post-match response to the question of how he would describe his playing style was "razzle-dazzle".

"I like the really confrontational stuff," he said. "I am a loose forward who has played lock so I can mix it up in the tight but at the same time I don't mind an open game, moving the ball a lot.

"The opportunity to play in Wales popped up and it's a part of the world that plays the style of footie that I like, the nitty-gritty and tough stuff up front."

Crosswell, who can play across the back row, doesn't just expect a fierce tussle with his opponents; he knows simply being an overseas import with a good CV won't guarantee him a place in the Dragons XV.

Nic Cudd, James Thomas, Lewis Evans have been in fine form along with Wales and Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau, on Sunday former international Andy Powell returned after almost three months on the sidelines while the young trio of Ollie Griffiths, Scott Matthews and James Benjamin are waiting in the wings.

"It's going to be a battle and nothing's a given in this game," said Crosswell. "I've got to get out on the field when I can and give it death.

"I am excited by the challenge but there are some guys in my position that are playing some really good footie, so getting on the field is going to be the first challenge and then I need to make the most of every bit of game time that I get.

"I feel that I've got something to add and have been in some successful sides in New Zealand that play some exciting footie, I hope I can bring some of that here."

Crosswell didn't have too much time to get sorted for his move north, the ink had barely dried on the contract before he was up at the Dragons' training base in Ystrad Mynach then watching from the stands as his new teammates beat Stade Francais to earn a home quarter-final in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

His arrival coincided with the LV= Cup, presenting the perfect opportunity to fling him in at the deep end to get accustomed to the Dragons' style.

The Kiwi new boy did well in an 80-minute shift, no mean feat given that his last action had come for the Maori All Blacks against Japan on November 8.

He said: "I normally would have been doing a Super Rugby pre-season, so it's been a while out of the game. There was a lot to take in but I really enjoyed it.

"I thought that I might be integrated in with 20, 40, 60, 80 minutes but I am here to play footie and I am a lot better for it."

But Crosswell is a signing for the long-term with the region's management hoping that arriving for the second half of this season will help him hit the ground running in 2015/6.

And the New Zealander is hoping to make a similar impact to the pair of South Africans who had made such in impression in the Dragons pack.

"Rynard Landman and Brok Harris have come in with some really good ideas and have made an awesome impact," he said. "If I can follow in their footsteps it will be pretty exciting.

"This is home for two-and-a-half years. It's not just a case of coming here for a season, it's making here home and getting to know the region and people."