Michael Ennis’ and Ben Barba’s playmaking partnership is set to give Cronulla a crucial edge in the 2015 NRL season.

Ennis and Barba’s combination was a driving force in Canterbury’s charge to the 2012 grand final and they are confident they have rekindled the magic.

“We definitely have,” Barba said.

“I think the one thing that will favour me is knowing when Mick is going to run and when Mick is going to pass from the times of my playing fullback with him at hooker (at Canterbury).

“Hopefully we can continue to work on that and put it back into effect right away come round one against Canberra.

“This is my first full year as a five-eighth and I know there are going to be times when I will struggle, but having been there and done that with Mick will be a big help.”

Barba was at fullback with the Dogs in 2012, but Ennis said he will play a similar roving role at Cronulla that he did with Canterbury when he won the Dally M medal.

“There is no reason why we can’t get that combination back,” the Sharks new No.9 said.

“I think every side won’t be flying in round one but you want to be starting as well as you can and we have had a really good preseason as a group and it will be similar for Ben in a lot of ways.

“The key for us is Ben’s ability to do things on a football field not many people can.

“He sees things and can create things that not many guys can with his vision and his evasiveness.

“It is up to the forward pack and myself and (halfback) Jeff (Robson) that we control the game enough to allow Ben to sit back and pick his moments.

“That’s going to be the challenge, getting that balance right for him, if we can do that, that will allow him to play his best footy.”