Besieged Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has vowed to stick by his players after they were smashed 44-16 by Brisbane in Sunday's NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.

With Israel Folau and Corey Parker back on deck, Brisbane produced a near faultless opening 40 minutes, to bury the Sharks with six tries, on the way to a 32-0 half-time lead, effectively ending the game as a contest.

Folau scored two tries on his return to action following surgery on a dislocated finger, and Parker was equally impressive, making 30 tackles and 11 hit ups after a four-week lay-off with a knee injury.

The magnitude of the loss is certain to heighten speculation surrounding Stuart's coaching future with the Sharks following weekend reports the club had sounded out former St George Illawarra mentor Nathan Brown.

However, Stuart was only concerned about the welfare of his players who he said were mentally and physically "stuffed" at half-time after Brisbane completed 23 of their 24 sets in the opening period.

"One thing I won't do, is let my players down," said Stuart, following the result that left the Sharks anchored at the bottom of the ladder.

After surviving a horror 2009 season off and on the field, Stuart said he knew nothing about the Brown rumours.

"It doesn't bother me," he said.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I haven't read the Sydney papers."

Sharks captain Trent Barrett interrupted Stuart's interview to declare: "And we're prepared to dig in for him (Stuart)".

Stuart said Brisbane's almost perfect first-half completion rate was "remarkable".

"They got all the penalties, which is not having a shot at the refs - that's what happens when you have all the ball and all the flow of the play," he said.

"I just get disappointed for the boys because I know how they take it. It kills me to see them come in at half-time mentally and physically stuffed like they were."

Both sides suffered significant injuries with Brisbane losing halfback Peter Wallace (medial ligament) while Cronulla prop Josh Cordoba was taken to hospital for possible surgery after suffering a sickening elbow dislocation in the second half.

While Wallace could be out for up to six weeks, putting his NSW State of Origin hopes in doubt, Stuart was unable to give an update on Cordoba who was writhing in agony on the ground after his elbow was severely displaced while diving for a loose ball.

Medical staff had to cradle his arm as he was ferried from the field on the medicab before being taken to hospital.

Brisbane youngsters Ben Hunt, who played in the Queensland Cup and Corey Norman, who played Brisbane's opening five games at fullback, are vying for Wallace's No.7 jumper.

Brisbane benefited from the returns of a rampaging Folau and Parker as well as the first appearance of young winger Jharal Yow Yeh who showed some exciting touches and always looked dangerous.

Rookie prop Dunamis Lui celebrated his promotion to the front-row by scoring his first NRL try while utility Matt Gillett grabbed a double playing in the centres.

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