Western Force vice-captain Michael Wells knows the Brumbies will be coming after former teammate Nic White when the two teams face off on Saturday.
White was named at scrumhalf for his return to Canberra, missing their pre-season trial as he recovered from minor shoulder surgery.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
“It’s a place that’ll always hold a little part in my heart,” White told the Full Force Podcast in February.
“I owe them a lot. Obviously, they looked after me early on. I learned a lot of things from that place, from some really good people.
“It’s funny I was actually talking to Steve Larkham only last week about this. I called him up, talking about Perth. I said there’s a lot of similarities in what’s happening here and in Canberra."
Wells understands the target on White's back as he returns to Canberra.
“I think Whitey is naturally a bit of a target for anyone because he’s a mouthy halfback so naturally people will go after him whether they’re on the field or in the stands," he joked to reporters.
“He’s always a focus of attention but we're there to make Whitey up in that regard."
Simon Cron has made just one change to the side that went down to the Melbourne Rebels, with Bayley Kuenzle coming in for Sam Spink (calf).
Kuenzle is one of three Force players to have played at the Brumbies in the past, with Wells pessimistic they will bring any extra inside knowledge
“Whether (Nic White) has inside knowledge, we’re a professional team and everyone does their study. While he has a bit more insight, I’m not sure I’m many halfbacks know intimacy about line outs or scrums, I think they stay well clear of that," he said.
“He’s a true leader in terms of he’s an energiser bunny. He brings energy and that’s probably what we were lacking towards the back end of the game.”
White is yet to throw out any online barbs according to teammate Len Ikitau, with the scrumhalf throwing a cheeky jibe targetting Michael Hooper before their opening game of 2023.
“Not yet with Whitey," he said. "He’s probably just having a holiday in Perth so we’ll wait and see.”
