For two seasons Craig Gowler and Steve Bennett were fierce coaching rivals on the Hawke's Bay club rugby scene.
Gowler was head coach of the Napier Old Boys Marist premier team, a role he will have for a fourth season next year which is no surprise in the wake ofhis Nash Cup-Maddison Trophy double this season. Bennett was an assistant coach of the Taradale premier team in 2014 to Blair Cross before taking on the head coach role last year.
This year Bennett had a break from the premier scene and co-coached the Hawke's Bay under-14s. Next year Bennett will be Gowler's assistant coach as Napier Old Boys Marist attempt to retain both of the province's premier club rugby trophies.
"Mark [O'Shaughnessy] was only going to be an assistant for this season because of his work commitments in the police force. Pat [Benson] will always be in the background like he was this year and we're looking forward to working with Steve. I think we will be a great combination," former Manawatu Turbos outside back Gowler said.
While Gowler will be in charge of the overall game plan, back play and defence Bennett will focus on the forwards and set piece play.
Former premier team loosie at the NOBM club, Kurt Chambers, has replaced Alan McNicol as head coach of the premier development team. Chambers will have versatile club stalwart Sam Williams as his assistant.
John Taitoko has replaced Williams as the senior thirds head coach. Another club stalwart, Steve Smithers, has retained the colts team head coach role and he will again have Bruce Huata as his assistant coach.
Gowler's fellow director of rugby at the club, Matt Wyatt, will co-coach the club's sevens team with Magpies halfback Ellery Wilson and Sam Weber.
