Boss Mark Hammett has revealed new signing Gareth Anscombe will arrive at Cardiff Blues early next month - but insists the Super Rugby ace needs time to settle into his new surroundings.
Anscombe’s season with Auckland finished last weekend after they lost a semi-final thriller 49-30 to Taranaki in the ITM Cup.
The former Waikato Chiefs star will now start to prepare for his new career in Wales, but Hammer has vowed not to rush the 23-year-old into action.
“He has finished his ITM commitments and he will now take a week to settle his things back in New Zealand,” said Hammer.
“He will then take a week break, which is ideal from my perspective because he has had a long season of Super Rugby and ITM Cup. The last thing I want to do is just drag him straight over and get him straight into it.
“He is likely to be here early November, but whether we play him in the LV=Cup is another thing.
“We may look to make him available for Edinburgh when we are back into the Guinness PRO12 after the LV=Cup window. That is something we will discuss with Gareth and do what is best for him and the region.
“When somebody comes from the outside in it takes time to get used to,” he added. “I certainly hope there is not pressure on him to perform straight away because that wouldn’t be fair.
“We know he is a footballer who can drive a team around. But he needs time to settle into his new surroundings and career at Cardiff Blues first.”