If Bristol supporters are looking for an indication as to the kind of player they have acquired in Sam Giddens, it is safe to suggest he is a team player.

The 25-year-old, who joined Bristol from Air New Zealand Cup side Hawke's Bay last week and will start on the bench at Neath this evening, once scored 45 points for club side Napier Old Boys Marist.

His individual tally – which was made up of five tries and 10 conversions – remains a New Zealand record for a premier club game.

But Giddens, a versatile back who is most at home at inside centre, passed up the chance to score an incredible half-century when he passed to a team-mate who was in a better scoring position late in the game.

"I could have got 50 in that game, but I gave a pass away," said Giddens.

"The coach came up to me at the end of the game and gave me a blast and said, 'You should have just scored that try and you'd have walked off with a half-century!' But that didn't worry me too much.

"I was kicking exceptionally well and also scored five tries in the game, so it was probably my perfect performance.

"I think we scored 90 or 100 points that day. But I've always been a team player – I like to put others away when I can."

Giddens, who has signed a six-month deal, arrived in Bristol with his partner and young son late last week.

And although he is yet to make his debut for Paul Hull's side, he has already expressed an interest in extending his stay into next season and beyond.

"If they were willing to re-sign me, I'm sure I'd love to come back to Bristol," said Giddens.

"It's been beautiful so far – and I don't really mind the weather, because it can be pretty dreadful in New Zealand at times, too. Our Air New Zealand Cup season started in August, but we play club rugby from mid-May, and before that you have pre-season training.

"It's been a good, long season already but I enjoy it.

"I love rugby and I wanted a change of lifestyle and something different – and Bristol was the best move for me.

"It's been a great move and I've enjoyed it so far."

Giddens is one of seven players without a senior first-team appearance for Bristol named in the 22-man squad for this evening's British & Irish Cup Pool B match at the Gnoll.

And after the long flight, the jet-lag and the administrative issues he has had to sort out in a whirlwind first week in Bristol, he is just desperate to play rugby now.

"I'm on the bench at Neath and I'm looking forward to it," said Giddens. "Hopefully I'll get a bit of game-time, go out and play the rugby they're expecting me to play and do my best for the team. I don't mind where I play, as long as I'm on the field or in the 22, but I've played second-five (inside centre) the last couple of years, with a bit of first-five (fly-half) and (outside) centre. I like second-five, because I like a bit more space, but I just love pulling the jersey on and playing the game.

"I hear Neath are a solid and confrontational team, but that falls into my category: I love confrontational rugby. If it is a case of being chucked in at the deep end, hopefully I'll swim out!"