NSW Cup battler Isaac John thrown in deep end against NRL superstar Johnathan Thurston

IT’S the ultimate David vs. Goliath clash - NRL superstar Johnathan Thurston versus NSW Cup battler Isaac John.

IT’S the ultimate David vs. Goliath clash.

New Zealand’s Isaac John will confront Australian superstar Johnathan Thurston in tonight’s Test match at Allianz Stadium, having been relegated to third-string five-eighth for the mid-table Penrith Panthers.

While Thurston warmed up for the Test with a starring NRL performance over Parramatta, John was playing for the Panthers NSW Cup side against Cronulla last week.

Amazingly, John didn’t even start at five-eighth. He was halfback. Jamie Soward is Penrith’s top pivot, with young Will Smith playing No. 6 in NSW Cup.

News_Image_File: Isaac John on the attack for Penrith. Picture: Gregg Porteous

That leaves John as the third option and makes him one of New Zealand’s biggest selection gambles in years.

Enigmatic Olsen Filipaina was the last New Zealand five-eighth to be plucked from reserve grade in 1985 when he roared out of Easts’ second grade side to trample opposite Immortal Wally Lewis and inspire the Kiwis to a shock win over Australia.

John, though, may not have the same fortune against this all-conquering Kangaroos side.

“I saw a bit of him play last year at five-eighth for the Panthers,” Thurston said.

“Obviously he has been playing a little bit of NSW Cup this year but whenever anyone gets the opportunity to pull on a jersey with the Kiwi on it, they grow an extra leg.

News_Image_File: Johnathan Thurston isn’t taking Isaac John lightly.

“He is a quality footballer and it is a good opportunity for him to stand up against a great side and prove himself at that level.

“In the games that I have seen, Isaac has played some really good football for the Panthers. He has a good football brain and has some really good skill.

“If we give him a bit of room and have the wrong attitude, he can really hurt us, like he did in the NRL last year.”

New Zealand coach Steve Kearney defended the selection.

“I know the 17 guys that run out for us are going to do a wonderful job, playing with a great deal of spirit,’’ he said.

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JOHNATHAN THURSTON

Age: 31

Contract: $1m

Next game: NRL, Cowboys v Brisbane

Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium

Expected crowd: 26,500

Rep career: 30 Tests for Australia, 27 Origins

Awards: Dally M Medal (2005, 2007), Golden Boot (2011, 2013)

ISAAC JOHN

Age: 25

Contract: $90,000

Next game: NSW Cup, Penrith v Newcastle

Venue: Cessnock Sports Ground

Expected crowd: 850

Rep career: 3 Tests for Cook Islands

Awards: Nil