Fullback Michael Gordon says it was always going to take Ben Barba time to fit in at Cronulla and believes the Sharks are not far off fixing their stuttering attack.
Rated genuine title contenders before the season, the Sharks are under early pressure after losing their opening two games, including a rusty performance in their 10-2 defeat by Brisbane on Friday night.
Prize recruit Barba looked off the pace in his first two games in Sharks colours, leading coach Shane Flanagan to admit it was taking longer than he wanted for the former Dally M winner to find his feet in the new role at five eighth.
Barba came up with several costly errors which led to tries in the side’s round one loss against Canberra before the side failed to cross for a try against Brisbane.
Gordon said on Monday it was up to him, halfback Jeff Robson and hooker Michael Ennis to help Barba fit into the team’s spine.
“It is going to take a few teething issues but we’ve trained really well over the pre-season and it’s just about understanding how each other likes to play during the game,” Gordon said.
“I’ve got confidence it will start turning and we’ll start playing well.”
Senior forward Wade Graham said it was up to the playing group to cut out mistakes which were hampering the attacking effort.
“(Barba and Robson) are working with Michael Gordon and Micky Ennis at the back trying to improve that spine,” Graham said.
“They’ve been working hard to compliment each other and learn more about each other.
“It’s just up to us as a team to get behind them because they need us executing the plays they put on.
“Because 11 errors (against Brisbane) is just not good enough at this standard.”
The Sharks could receive a boost this week with NSW and Australian backrower Luke Lewis a possibility to return against Melbourne.
Lewis had pre-season knee surgery and his recovery has taken longer than expected but he trained strongly with the team on Monday and is a strong contender to be named on Tuesday.
SHARKS’ TEETHING ISSUES
Key stats from Cronulla’s NRL round 1 and 2 matches
Missed tackles: 40
Penalties conceded 12
Errors: 26
Line breaks: 6
Tries: 3
