Cronulla halfback Brett Kimmorley produced the big plays as the Sharks ground down a depleted Brisbane 13-6 in an NRL match played in cold and wet conditions at Toyota Stadium.

Kimmorley laid on a first half try for winger Misi Taulapapa and put the result beyond doubt with a late field goal to lead a far from polished Sharks side to victory.

The Broncos went into the match without eight regular first-graders, including injured skipper Darren Lockyer and six players on State of Origin duty.

The Sharks were without "bruise brothers" Paul Gallen and Greg Bird who will play for NSW on Wednesday night.

Cronulla's points came through tries to Taulapapa and Brett Kearney while Luke Covell booted two goals and Kimmorley his one-pointer in front of 13, 431 brave fans.

For Brisbane, Tonie Carroll scored a first half try and Michael Ennis kicked a goal.

Brisbane led 6-4 at halftime, but the Sharks, who withstood a stiff first half breeze, turned the tide after the break.

Kimmorley blew a golden opportunity just two minutes into the second half when he spilled a pass with the line wide open after Brett Seymour had made a bust.

But the Sharks levelled with a 48th minute penalty goal from Covell before Seymour superbly turned a ball inside from a scrum and sent outstanding fullback Kearney through a hole to the line for a 12-6 lead.

Cronulla were their own worst enemies with poor handling preventing them putting the Broncos away but the visitors failed to back up their strong first half.

Kimmorley missed an opportunity to make the margin seven when he missed a field goal attempt at point blank range in the 69th minute.

But he made no mistake in the 76th to ensure the win.

Brisbane's first points had come in the 18th minute and not without controversy.

After referee Jared Maxwell had ruled a 16th-minute strip by Sharks winger Taulapapa had constituted a knock-on, video referee Steve Clark awarded a try to Carroll from the resulting set which also looked doubtful.

Carroll had two grabs at an Ennis grubber fumbled by Cronulla's Seymour and it was unclear whether the Brisbane lock had knocked-on with the first.

Cronulla had blown most of their early attacking chances with poor handling before Taulapapa received just reward for a powerhouse game, latching onto a 38th minute Kimmorley cut-out ball and crashing over.