NRL: John to make Warriors debut

Isaac John (L) has been a regular for the Auckland Vulcans. Photo / Getty Images

Standoff Isaac John will make his National Rugby League debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the Sydney Roosters in Sydney on Sunday.

The 20-year-old is the seventh player in the past two seasons to earn first-grade selection after playing for the Junior Warriors in the National Youth Competition.

He follows Sonny Fai, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Leeson Ah Mau, Daniel O'Regan and Kevin Locke.

Tokoroa-born and raised John has been a regular for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this season.

He will start at No 6 on Sunday, with Lance Hohaia reverting to an impact role off the interchange bench.

"Isaac has been working hard and doing everything asked of him," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said today.

"While we've used Lance at No 6 lately we have confidence in Isaac and we also know how dangerous Lance can be coming off the bench.

"It's all about trying to get the right balance in our side and improving our work on attack."

In other changes to the side who lost 14-18 to the Bulldogs last weekend, Jerome Ropati has recovered from a shoulder injury and returns in the centres while captain Steve Price is named to fill his regular spot after tomorrow night's third State of Origin match.

With Ropati back, Simon Mannering will start in the second row alongside Jacob Lillyman while Lewis Brown, who started in the back row last Sunday, is one of five players named on the bench.

Prop Russell Packer, who started last weekend, is among the interchange quintet.

Not included this week are utility Aaron Heremaia and second rower Ukuma Ta'ai.

John is the seventh player to make his first-grade debut for the Warriors this year.

The others have been Ah Mau, O'Regan, Locke, Ta'ai, Brown and Heremaia while Denan Kemp, Joel Moon, Jacob Lillyman and Jesse Royal played their first games for the club after moving to Auckland.

- NZPA