That round-one encounter will see Wells confront his former Melbourne Rebels mates in a highly anticipated clash at HBF Park on Saturday night.

Wells captained the Rebels last season and he has now been entrusted with guiding an inexperienced Force outfit bristling with young talent.

The 29-year-old still has many good mates at the Rebels, but those friendships will be put to one side on Saturday night.

“Whatever friendliness happened, as soon as you cross the line, it’s gone,” he said.

“Some of my best mates - I have no harm in trying to tackle them and put my shoulder straight through them. It’s what’s expected of me here.

“I’ve been talking to Richard Hardwick consistently, I was a groomsman at his wedding.

“I talk with [my ex-teammates] consistently.

“A lot of the chat isn’t about rugby. Not a lot of it is about, ‘I’m coming to smash you this week, I’ll be looking for you there’.

“But they know first phase around the corner where I’ll be. They’re well aware that my left and right shoulder are available for them if they need it.”

AAP