Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says Ben Barba needs to adapt better to the team's structures, calling on the five-eighth to get his hands on the ball more following the Sharks' 10-2 loss to Brisbane.

Barba has struggled in his opening two games for the Sharks after being a prized recruit to fill Todd Carney's vacant No.6 jersey. Flanagan said he was surprised by Barba's struggles but wants more involvement from him.

"It was indifferent," Flanagan said of Barba's performance. "I need him to get his hands on the ball a bit more. We need to adapt to him and he needs to adapt to us