Cronulla assistant coach Josh Hannay says travelling to Auckland to face an in-form Warriors side will be a perfect barometer for the Sharks as they aim to limit the impact of old boys Shaun Johnson and Luke Metcalf.
Cronulla, who sat third heading into round 20, have been criticised for their inability to match it with the competition's heavyweights.
In six matches against teams currently in the top eight, the Sharks have registered just one win, and the sixth-placed Warriors will pose a considerable threat on Sunday.
The Kiwi outfit are enjoying their best season since 2011, when they went on to make the grand final.
"I love the opportunity it presents for us because they're going really well," Hannay told AAP.
"The Warriors at home for Shaun's 200th celebration, I'm guessing it's going to be a sellout or thereabouts.
"It's a great opportunity to go over there, play against high quality opposition on a big stage and see where we're at as well."
Johnson signed a one-year contract extension with the Warriors earlier this week and the evergreen halfback has struck up an impressive combination with Metcalf.
The latter scored two tries in last week's thrashing of Parramatta after opting to leave Cronulla last year.
Hanny, who gave Metcalf his NRL debut at the Sharks in 2021 when he was the club's interim coach, is all too aware of the threat the liveware five-eighth poses.
"Part of me is happy that he's doing well, but part of me doesn't want him to do so well this weekend," Hannay said.
"He's an elusive player and when he plays like that it doesn't surprise me."
Hannay has had one of the busiest weeks in the NRL after helping guide Queensland to a State of Origin series win and then reverting to club duties with Cronulla.
"You're in the tumble dryer and (Sharks coach) Craig Fitzgibbon told me this because he had to do it with the Blues," Hannay said.
"It's a hectic schedule and when you win it's enjoyable because you can celebrate, losing is such a deflating feeling. I've had two goes now and had two (series) wins."
