For Wells, it was a chance to blow out some cobwebs after making his debut in Cape Town against the Stormers two weeks ago.

"In club footy you get down and dirty, no one gives an inch. Mum and dad try to get to every game, they're well travelled through footy. Maybe [a home game at] Queanbeyan is the next stop."

Wells had a solid 40 minutes after being injected at half-time to strengthen the Queanbeyan back row.

Whites coach Adam Fahey praised Wells for his willingness to roll up his sleeves after minimal training with his new Queanbeyan teammates.

Royals started their bid for back-to-back titles in perfect fashion when skipper Ben Johnston scored the opener, but the flying fullback was cut down not long after when he was hit in a high tackle.

Queanbeyan booted penalties to stay in the contest and somehow found themselves in the lead when Whites prop Neori Nadruku crashed over from close range to open up 16-8 lead at the break.

From there they never looked back as Royals struggled to get any momentum and failed to get the ball to Brumbies winger Lausii Taliauli as their plan was crippled by poor handling.

Despite having almost no possession in the second half, replacement back Harry Tyson scored in the dying minutes to give Royals hope and cut the margin to 23-15.

But Whites outside-centre Lani Tiatia took an intercept moments later and destroyed any hope of a Royals comeback.

"Our second and third efforts in defence were outstanding, we shut down their danger players and it took us a long way to winning the game," said Whites coach Adam Fahey.

"It was scrappy, both teams were far from clinical. This is the start of a long year and Royals will be back bigger and better."

In round two, the first grade Whites will face the Gungahlin Eagles at the Nicholls Enclosed Oval from 3.05pm on Saturday, April 9.