Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou and Vatuvei started each of the team's first five games, but have since been kept apart by injuries to Locke. The fullback's return for the 30-16 win over the Panthers offered a glimpse of the combination's potential, with Locke adding to Vatuvei's double, but an extended spell on the sidelines for Vatuvei would further frustrate the team's quest for consistency.
Last night's late capitulation meant last year's beaten grand finalists have managed consecutive wins on only one occasion after 15 rounds.
Six wins from 14 games is not the start McClennan wanted to his Warriors tenure, but his side still sit just four points from the top eight. Next week's bye comes at an ideal time - not only will the two guaranteed points be an invaluable aid to their finals hopes, but the week off will provide equally precious time for the casualty ward to clear.
Along with Vatuvei, Micheal Luck (knee) and Ben Matulino (sternum) will be regulars in John Mayhew's treatment room after both were forced from the field in the second half of the Cronulla game, but the doctor had positive news for McClennan following the game.
"[Mayhew] feels that Lucky will be fine," McClennan said. "We're pretty confident [Matulino] is going to be fine, too."
It was just about the only good news to emerge from the defeat. The Warriors have made a recent habit of throwing away leads and last night was no different.
After first half tries from Locke and Shaun Johnson staked them to a 13-8 lead, the Warriors increased their advantage through Konrad Hurrell's seventh try in five matches and a penalty - their first of the season - from James Maloney.
The Warriors led by 11 points with 10 minutes remaining but that's when it all went wrong, with two tries in four minutes from halfback Jeff Robson edging the fifth-place Sharks in front for good.
"No one likes to go down and lose any game by those small margins," McClennan said. "We were going fairly well during the match. We just didn't execute well enough."
After scoring 45 tries in 45 Toyota Cup appearances, Slaimankhel's maiden contribution at first-grade level was to fumble the ball with his third touch, allowing the Sharks to open the scoring. But, with Vatuvei's immediate future unclear, McClennan was pleased with the way the former Afghani refugee rebounded.
"To come back from that is very difficult for a young guy. I thought he showed a lot of fortitude in how he came back and competed in the rest of the game."
