And Pivac says the Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back could yet make his debut for the Parc y Scarlets outfit in their first game of the newly expanded Guinness PRO14.
Halfpenny has asked to begin his new chapter in Wales earlier than expected, making it a possibility he could feature for the Scarlets against South African newcomers Southern Kings next month.
Pivac said: “Leigh has actually asked to come in early, so he could well play against the Kings.
“He’s coming in next week. From our point of view all the players get screened when they come in and they get treated equally and individually.
“Our Lions (Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens) are back in on August 21 and they’ll be into full duties from that period. They’ll have an introductory week and then be expected to be full noise from the week following.”
Halfpenny has committed to the Scarlets and the Welsh Rugby Union on a three-year dual deal after leaving French giants Toulon.
His return to Wales – the three-time Lion previously played for Cardiff Blues – is a big boost to the regional game and Scarlets fans can’t wait to see him in action in the famous Llanelli red.
Pivac is looking forward to that too, but insists Halfpenny will only play once he has fully recovered from his exploits with the Lions against New Zealand earlier this summer.
The Kiwi head coach also confirmed Halfpenny will play at full-back this season.
“I think it’s a positive thing Leigh wants to come in early and meet everybody,” Pivac said.
“He doesn’t want to come in on day one, start working with everybody and do the handshakes in the first training session. He wants to do it right and he has a very professional approach.
“We have to look at how much game time the players have had, when they’ve played their last game and how their bodies are. All that information is collated. The heads of departments and coaches go through that and no one will be put at risk. They all get the break they need.”
Asked where he sees Halfpenny fitting in this season, Pivac added: “Leigh is a full-back, he wants to play full-back, and I don’t see any issues in our group on that.
“Johnny McNicholl played full back and wing last season, but I would imagine Leigh will only be here for half a season as a nationally dual contracted player.
“We have got a certain number of games that he can play. It leaves plenty of football for both of them to play full-back.”
