Kiwi lock Paul Tito says the number of New Zealanders in successful Heineken Cup teams this season shows they are not just coming to the Northern hemisphere for a pension plan.

Tito and former All Black Xavier Rush have led the forward effort at the Cardiff Blues this season, with full back Ben Blair kicking the goals.

They travel to Bristol on Sunday knowing that one more victory or draw will mean they reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals for the first time as a region.

Listen to full Paul Tito interview here

Fellow Welsh region the Ospreys have benefited from former All Blacks Justin Marshall, Filo Tiatia and Marty Holah, Bristol have a new Zealand contingent led by Andrew Blowers and there is a strong Kiwi influence in most of the sides doing well this season.

"We all come over and give our guts, people say it is a bit of a retirement scheme but I would say that is pretty much rubbish when you look at the boys going round in the Welsh teams at the moment," said Tito.

"There are three in the Ospreys and three of us here with the Blues - we have come over here to do a job and hopefully we are doing that to the best of our ability.

"There are a few Kiwis in the Bristol side, it will be good to lock horns with them again."

There was a moment over the Christmas period when Tito feared he would be suspended for these matches after being sent off against Newport Gwent Dragons.

"That was the only disappointing thing when he flashed red and I thought I could have been out of these games, but luckily enough the evidence does not lie and I was let off," he said.

"It will be a forward effort, especially in the conditions, and Bristol do not change too much, they will try to drive lineouts and we will have to face up to that.

"I am looking forward to the forward encounter. I try to be consistent but I really try to rise for the big games because that is what they are all about."