NRL: Muted expectations for John's debut

Isaac John is known as a solid player more than a star in the making. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Roosters v Warriors
Sydney Football Stadium
Tomorrow 4pm

It's time to find out if the Warriors' much-trumpeted development production line is harbouring any more gems.

Next up for his audition is Isaac John, the Tokoroa-born 20-year-old promoted to make his first-grade debut at five-eighth against the Roosters in Sydney tomorrow.

Coach Ivan Cleary insists John has the game to help the Warriors win right now, but the more significant question is whether he is the player to provide solidity in the halves for the foreseeable future.

It would be something of a surprise if the answer to that question is yes. John has fashioned a reputation a solid, dependable player in the best part of two seasons with the club's under-20s and the Auckland Vulcans, but few are touting him to be a first-grade star.

"We are always looking at the future, whether it is next week or next year," Cleary said. "The way the [salary] cap works and the way you try to put your squad together, there is always a futuristic view to it.

"But the focus really is all about [tomorrow].

"I think Isaac can help us and that is why he is in there.

"He has been progressing nicely. He had a good season in the NYC [National Youth Championship] last year and he has been playing particularly well the last three of four weeks, so I think he's ready for a shot."

Whether John swims or sinks, the Warriors will at least benefit from a bit of clarity with regard to their medium-term playmaking options. They might not, however, like what they see. If John doesn't present as a viable option, there appears to be a glaring lack of alternatives.

Cleary has made a few positive noises about Stacey Jones going around again next year, but the veteran playmaker has yet to publicly announce his intentions.

Whether a Jones in the hastening twilight of his career is a great option is a matter of debate.

But with any serious contenders to his throne having been banished to foreign fields, it's hard to see much upside in the loss of another proven performer.

That discards Grant Rovelli and Nathan Fien have been named to start in the halves this weekend for teams sitting fifth and first on the NRL ladder would seem to be an indictment of the decision-making of the Warriors' back-room this season.

With Michael Witt also shown the door and heir-apparent Joel Moon shunted out to the centres, the club has backed itself into a corner.

That is the backdrop to which John makes his debut tomorrow.

"It is probably fair to say we are still looking to get something more concrete there," Cleary said of the halves picture.

"I guess that has been the case throughout the year. The sooner we can get something settled the better for everybody."

John, who wasn't made available to the media this week, does have a few things going for him. For starters, the Roosters are in at least as deep a rut as the Warriors.

Rock bottom of the table and beset by off-the-field dramas, the Roosters have lost seven of their last eight games.

The Warriors have also had the wood on the Roosters in recent times, winning five and drawing one of the last seven clashes, including two wins and a draw from last three clashes in Sydney.

But John also joins a team crippled by a lack of offensive production.

"It is a tough one for Isaac to come into the way the team is performing," Jones said of his new halves partner.

"But really he just has to go out there and enjoy himself, bring a bit of enthusiasm to the team, which is what we probably lack at the moment."

Jones described John as a "pretty dedicated bloke" who "loves his footy", but stopped well short of hailing him as the next messiah.

"He has got a big frame on him and good balls skills, but you can't really say too much until he has gone out there and done a bit.

"I just hope he comes in and enjoys himself."

The seventh player over the past two seasons to earn first-grade selection after playing in the NYC, John joins the likes of Kevin Locke, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.

Those three have looked every inch first-graders from the moment they stepped on to the turf.

Warriors fans, no doubt baffled by some of this season's manoeuvres, will hope John does the same.

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS

Roosters

Sam Perrett
Sandor Earl
Mitchell Aubusson
Tom Symonds
S Kenny-Dowall
Ben Jones
Mitchell Pearce
Shane Shackleton
Jake Friend
Lopini Paea
Setaimata Sa
Willie Mason
Craig Fitzgibbon (c)

Interchange: Stanley Waqa, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Anthony Cherrington, Nick Kouparitsas, Sia Soliola (one to be omitted).

Warriors

Wade McKinnon
Kevin Locke
Jerome Ropati
Joel Moon
Manu Vatuvei
Isaac John
Stacey Jones
Sam Rapira
Ian Henderson
Russell Packer
Simon Mannering
Jacob Lillyman
Micheal Luck (c)

Interchange: Lewis Brown, Lance Hohaia, Ben Matulino, Jesse Royal.