IT took just 80 minutes for Australian superstar Andrew Johns to stamp his own indelible mark on Super League X and earn himself hero status across the town of Warrington.

Fted like a god as he took to the field for the pre-match warm-up, Johns showed little sign of the nerves he confessed he was suffering from as he cheekily flipped a pass behind his back to Lee Briers and responded to the crowd's request for a wave.

Half an hour later it was time for the real stuff to begin, and Johns could not have wished for a better start.

A long wait for the half back to tee the ball up for the kick-off, which he later admitted was because he was so nervous his hands were shaking, only served to heighten the fever-pitch atmosphere.

But Johns did not disappoint as his kick looped high in the air and forced Rob Burrow to knock on with the imposing Chris Leikvoll charging in.

Wolves' number 31 leapt to celebrate his opening contribution, and with just five seconds gone anyone who had doubted how much difference one man could make must have been eating their words.

Henry Fa'afili's try followed seconds later, and when Johns kicked the conversion from the touchline every Wolves fan's dreams were starting to come true.

Wolves' opponents may have been the Super League and world club champions, but the psychological damage of Johns' presence had been done.

Joey worked to establish a rhythm on the left, although he looked to be tiring after putting in the sort of defensive effort that many forwards would be proud of.

That facade was an illusion though as Johns started to play a more influential role in open play, forcing two drop outs and earning an assist for Brent Grose's 35th-minute try.

He saved his finest moment for when Wolves needed it after Marcus Bai's try had cut the lead to two points early in the second half.

Johns could be seen rallying the troops behind the sticks, and soon afterwards he led by example with a brilliant sidestep to leave Danny Ward for dead and put a try on a plate for Logan Swann.

The personal pleasure he took from spearheading Wolves' victory charge was evident as he wheeled away before leaping to punch the air - this was a man in his element.

Johns' drop goal to extend Wolves' advantage led to chants of 'Joey, Joey' ringing around the ground. It may not be the last time we hear that before the year is out.

Joey's

Leeds

stats

Passes: 34

Kicks: 13

Carries: 4

Offloads: 4

Clean breaks: 1

Tackle busts: 0

Tackles: 14

Miss tackles: 1

Errors: 3

Try assists: 2

40/20s: 0

Tries: 0

Goals: 6 from 7

Drop goals: 1