NRL: Stopping Benji a combined effort says John

Isaac John. Photo / Getty Images

Isaac John will make his return to the National Rugby League (NRL) against an opponent he has long admired, but he doesn't see it as a head-to-head contest with Benji Marshall in Sydney on Saturday night.

The New Zealand Warriors have called up John to be their five-eighth against the Wests Tigers, with James Maloney serving a ban for his early hit on Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne last weekend.

"The only way we match up is our numbers," John said of the No 6 jerseys he and Marshall will wear.

"It's not like me versus Benji, it's the Warriors versus the Tigers. I won't be trying to stop him by myself. I'll have 12 others players around me."

While Marshall's kicking game was a touch wayward in the Tigers' 24-14 defeat to the Bulldogs last Monday night, the Kiwi skipper against showed his lethal ability with ball in hand.

His passes set up tries for Lote Tuqiri and Chris Lawrence, before he grabbed a superb solo touchdown for himself by skipping past three defenders.

"It's hard not to admire what he does," John said.

"Growing up as a teenager, I used to watch him a lot. Some of the stuff he does is unbelievable and we'll try to stop that this week."

John wasn't fazed by the prospect that might be required for just one game, as Maloney will be available for selection again next week.

He also didn't feel too much pressure at coming into the side after the Warriors had made a losing start to their season.

"I'm just going to go out there to do my part for the team," he said.

"I'm not trying to be a miracle worker, like turn our season around. It's only round two. It's a long season."

John, 22, has eight NRL matches to his name.

He made his debut in July 2009, but injuries played havoc with his season last year.

He was unavailable early on because of a broken foot, but got his chance in mid-campaign when halfback Brett Seymour suffered a leg fracture.

He formed a halves combination with Maloney and the Warriors won four of the five matches with him in on the field.

However, John was then struck down by anterior cruciate ligament damage, which required a season-ending knee reconstruction.

Despite the battles involved in getting back to fitness, John could see positives in both spells on the sideline.

His broken foot coincided with Seymour being out with a broken thumb and he was able to learn from watching games with his more experienced team-mate.

"I was sitting on the sideline with Buster and he's got a great football mind."

As for his knee surgery, John believed that going through the lengthy rehabilitation had made him mentally stronger.

"Anyone who's done their ACL knows it's a long lonely road," he said.

"I think in hindsight I'm better with the experience because it taught me discipline and made me more motivated, if anything."

- NZPA