Batting after Bradman? Meet the man who will take over from Ivan Cleary

In a career defined by toughness, Peter Wallace played for over a year without an anterior cruciate ligament in one knee.

The Panthers halfback had refused to come from the field during a game in Bathurst and played 50 minutes with a ruptured ACL, but it was not until he was forced into retirement in 2018 that it emerged he had once played more than 12 months without an actual ACL in the joint.

Incredibly, that may not even have been Wallace’s most impressive display of toughness. After all, he once played more than half an Origin game with a ruptured testicle.

Though in severe pain at half-time, Wallace did not want to cause a fuss so went out and played the remainder of the game without saying a word. It was only later that night when the testicle ballooned in size thathe realised he might want to get someone on the phone.

Phil Gould, then the general manager at Penrith, said when Wallace announced his retirement: “Peter has repeatedly played for the club with injuries that would keep the normal man home in bed.”

Respected doctor Nathan Gibbs said it was rare for anybody to continue playing sport without an ACL, let alone at a professional level, for two reasons: “The knee is unstable, and it bloody hurts,” Gibbs said.

That willingness to do whatever it takes despite such discomfort will be a huge asset for Wallace when he replaces Ivan Cleary in Penrith’s top job in 2028.

If Wallace refused to buckle under the pain, his players will do likewise.

Just look at what’s happening at Manly right now, with the players prepared to run through brick walls for caretaker coach Kieran Foran – who, like Wallace, had an unbelievable threshhold for pain.

Wallace knows he will have big shoes to fill. Cleary has already won four premierships and could easily finish with five or six before he moves into a coaching director’s role. He is also charming, witty, and has the best hair in rugby league.

“He’s a tough nut to crack, Wal, he has that permanent scowl, but he’ll be good,” Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said. “The reception from the players when they were told Wal would take over from Ivan, the place went nuts.”

So what else do we know about Wallace?

The 40-year-old was born in the Blue Mountains, played his junior footy at St Marys and started and finished his career at the Panthers. There were also six seasons at the Broncos after he was head-hunted by Wayne Bennett.

The veteran coach backed the Panthers’ appointment of Wallace to succeed Cleary. “Peter Wallace is such a great guy,” Bennett said on Thursday. “I’m so pleased for him. He’s worked there a long time, they know Peter, and they wouldn’t have given him it if they didn’t think he was ready.”

Wallace finished up midway through 2018 and immediately joined the coaching staff to help Cameron Ciraldo, who was holding the fort after Anthony Griffin had been moved on by Gould.

He remained part of the staff the following year before taking charge of the Panthers’ NSW Cup side during the COVID years, leading them to the title in 2022. Since 2023, Wallace has been defence coach for the NRL side.

The Panthers’ success has been built on defence. Heading into Magic Round, they have leaked 30 fewer points than the second-placed New Zealand Warriors this season.

Cleary and Wallace view the game the same way. They try to keep calm and place high importance on earning the respect and trust of their players.

Wallace has played with Nathan Cleary and as a former halfback is the perfect sounding board for the game’s best player.

Cameron conceded at Wednesday’s packed press conference that Wallace’s appointment would hopefully help the club re-sign Cleary beyond 2027.

Wallace, along with the other assistants, NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg coaches, has all sat in on recruitment and retention meetings for years and have a say on the final roster.

Jimmy Maloney played alongside both Cleary and Wallace and said that while Wallace had done an excellent job with defence, the attack would come even easier because of his playmaking pedigree.

“Put it this way, there would be certain front-rowers you know would never be coaches,” Maloney said. “But a guy like Wal, being in that inner spine, and understanding how to break sides apart and create opportunities, that’s what he will be able to pass on.

“Wal had a lot of respect from the boys back then, and a lot of those boys are now senior members at the club. He also transitioned straight on to the coaching staff, so he’s been there the whole time the young kids have come through.”

Wallace remains the No.1 ticket-holder in Penrith’s running club, which features staff completing an annual 45km trek from Katoomba to Emu Plains in the summer and includes no fewer than ten stops at local pubs to rehydrate.

Here’s cheers to Wal.

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