Reigning premiers Penrith have named Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner their two NRL assistant coaches following the departures of Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster, who will both lead rival clubs in 2023.
Wallace has remained involved with the Panthers since his retirement from their playing list in 2018 and most recently coached the NSW Cup team to the premiership.
Gardiner joins the coaching staff from Wests Tigers, where he was an NRL assistant this year, and has previously held posts with the New Zealand Kiwis, South Sydney, Cronulla and North Sydney as well as the City Origin and NSW under-20s sides.
The pair will join forces with head coach Ivan Cleary as Penrith hope to become the first team since the early 1980s to win three consecutive premierships.
"Peter and Ben are both impressive coaches who will add a lot to our coaching staff and playing group through their relationships, knowledge and work ethic," Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said.
Wallace's promotion has led the club to appoint Ben Harden their NSW Cup coach for 2023, while Jono Rolfe will continue to oversee the Jersey Flegg side.
The appointments come after Ciraldo and Webster signed on to become the head coaches of Canterbury and the Warriors, respectively, from next season.
Cleary's long-term right-hand man and the architect of Penrith's dual-premiership-winning defence, Ciraldo signed with the Bulldogs in August after turning down the Warriors and Wests Tigers.
Like Ciraldo, Webster is embarking on his first head coaching job and will become the fifth man to coach the Warriors since the beginning of the 2020 season.
