There won’t be too many harder tasks in the NRL next season than replacing Luke Lewis.

But week one of Cronulla’s pre-season hasn’t even finished and Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has already hailed second-row candidate Kurt Capewell’s body of work.

Despite entering the summer two kilograms heavier than he finished the season, Capewell crossed the line first in the club’s 1.2km time trial this week.

Capewell shapes as the favourite to wear Lewis’ No.11 jersey next year, having deputised for the two-time premiership-winner on six occasions last season.

“A few of the boys away might come back and give him a challenge on his time,” Flanagan told the Sharks website of Capewell’s exploits on Tuesday.

“But overall, I’m pretty happy with the way they’ve turned up.”

Having finished one game short of the grand final this year, Flanagan suggested changes were afoot in the Shire as he prepared for another premiership tilt.

“We’re going to mix things up this year,” Flanagan said.

“Whilst we’re happy in the end with where we finished in the competition, we weren’t happy with the way it ended. We’ve got to change a few things, challenge ourselves in all areas.”

Joining the retired Lewis out the exit door were regular starters Jesse Ramien and Ricky Leutele, while Trent Hodkinson, Edrick Lee and Joseph Paulo are also gone.

The only notable signing is former Canterbury centre Josh Morris, who was another to have caught the eye of Flanagan this week.

“It was really impressive, his first real day on the field,” Flanagan said.

“He stood up and led those boys around. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll slowly get some more really experienced players back, leading into December when they’re all back.

“(It’s a) really important role Josh has got for the month of November, leading, getting a feel of where he sits in the leadership group and playing group.”