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Ahead of a clash with in-form Cronulla, Kevin Walters has conceded the NRL rebuild of Brisbane is taking longer than he expected.

The "magic wand" hasn't worked on Brisbane, new coach Kevin Walters has conceded after admitting their NRL rebuild is experiencing delays.

The Broncos (3-4) face a proper examination on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium against an in-form Cronulla (5-2).

The 2020 wooden spooners sit ninth and in their best position after seven rounds since Wayne Bennett left the club in 2018, although two of those wins have come against the last-placed Bulldogs.

Walters (10-21) is currently the least successful full-time Broncos coach and has work to do to improve on predecessor Anthony Seibold's 14-23 record.

But he says he isn't letting the win-loss ratio get to him, flagging the next four weeks as critical in the side's recovery effort.

"Yeah, I thought the magic wand would work," Walters said with a wry smile.

"We're heading in the right direction, trying not to focus on winning and losing, it's about us getting better.

"We're doing that at different stages, but it's just going to take a little bit longer than we all anticipated.

"I'd like to think in a month's time we're playing the football consistently where we need to be at."

The Sharks present a stern test behind recruited halfback Nicho Hynes and in-form left-side centre Siosifa Talakai, who devastated Manly with two tries and as many try assists in 30 minutes last week.

But in Kotoni Staggs, who Walters has backed as a worthy NSW State of Origin replacement for the injured Latrell Mitchell, the coach is confident he has the means to counter and more.

"He (Talakai) has been good all year, a real strike player for them," said Walters. "Our right side, I'm comfortable defensively with Jordan (Riki), Reyno (Adam Reynolds), Kotoni and Selwyn (Cobbo).

"We've got a strong right edge as well that can defend, but also cause some problems of our own."

NSW Origin forward Payne Haas is expected to play for Brisbane despite carrying a shoulder injury this week suffered early in the defeat of Canterbury, while Sharks veteran Wade Graham (ankle) is also set to play his first game of the season.