Blues v Scarlets: Pivac warns Anscombe "We're coming at you"

Gareth Anscombe played domestic rugby in New Zealand before moving to Wales in November 2014

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has warned Blues fly-half Gareth Anscombe that his team are "coming at you" in the Pro12 derby match on Friday, 19 December.

New Zealander Pivac coached Anscombe at Auckland for two seasons and admires the Wales-qualified player's skills.

But Anscombe has suffered charged-down kicks in his two starts for the Blues.

"We'll be putting a lot of traffic down his alley, so Gareth if you're listening we're coming at you," said a mischievous Pivac on Radio Wales.

"He's a good guy, he's a good player and you know hopefully we'll be able to exploit any weaknesses that he may have."

London Irish scored tries after charging down Anscombe kicks in the 24-14 win and 34-23 defeat against the Blues in the European Challenge Cup.

But the back - who arrived from New Zealand in November - scored 18 points in that defeat and shows signs of settling in as a playmaker.

And Pivac believes Anscombe is a good acquisition for the Cardiff-based region, based on his experience with the player in New Zealand.

"He was with us for two seasons at Auckland and he played very very well for us," said Pivac.

"He's a goal kicker, he's a good general and the perceived weaknesses in his game he's worked very hard at.

"Like any professional rugby player he wants to be there for a long time and he wants to play at the highest level so he's a good hard worker."

Scarlets are 10 points ahead of the Blues in the Pro12 table, but have not won away in the league yet this season.

Pivac believes Friday's opponents have been performing below par so far this season, and fears a backlash.

"The Blues on paper are a very strong side and I don't think they've performed to their ability," he said.

"And in rugby you just don't want to be the team that turns up on the day when they do all click, because it can go horribly wrong.

"We'll need to be on our game for 80 minutes because they've got some quality players there's no doubt about that."