VINCE KARALIUSVince Karalius, who died on 13 December, 2008, aged 76, was a World Cup, League Championship and two-time Challenge Cup-winning loose forward who played for St Helens and Widnes and won 12 caps for Great Britain.But his greatest feat was during the Ashes tour of 1958 when he was credited with halting the fearsome Australian pack, helping Great Britain to a famous series victory. An Australian journalist nicknamed him the 'Wild Bull' after the boxer Luis Ángel Firpo, a moniker that would stick throughout his career.After retirement he went into coaching and led Widnes to two more Challenge Cup successes, further enhancing his reputation as a legend of his home town club.Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was born in the Lancashire town on 15 October, 1932. At 18 he signed professional terms with St Helens and made his debut the following year against Warrington.Strong in the tackle and a powerful runner, Karalius was not only one of the game's hardest men, he was also one of its fittest, dedicating himself to a strict training regime that gave him an advantage over more cumbersome opposition.During 11 years with Saints, he helped them win the 1959 League Play-offs and as captain he led them to the 1961 Challenge Cup and two Lancashire Cups.He was called up to the Great Britain squad for the 1958 tour of Australia and played a key role in the famous 'Battle of Brisbane' Test that won the series for the visitors, battling through the match despite an agonising back injury."How he stood up to the first ten minutes I will never know," said manager Tom Mitchell who, like the Aussie press who dubbed him 'Wild Bull', compared him to "a boxer getting up after a knockdown".His dozen Great Britain caps also included appearances in the 1960 World Cup when the hosts beat off competition from New Zealand, Australia and France to take the trophy.After moving to Widnes in 1962 - after 252 games, 42 tries and 126 points for St Helens - he was immediately given the captain's armband and duly led the side to their equal best league position of third in 1963 and a famous victory at Wembley the following season, the club's first Challenge Cup win for 27 years."Some players come back to spend their last seasons at their own home town club like horses being put to grass," he said. "I came back to Widnes determined to give 100 per cent effort."He retired in 1966 but returned to Naughton Park in 1972 and once again brought the club success with a Lancashire and Challenge Cup double in 1975. As head coach he applied the same ethic of total commitment in both training and playing as he had used in the days of his former glories.He stepped down as coach shortly afterwards but returned for a brief spell in the mid 1980s which yieled yet another Challenge Cup win in 1984. He was elected to the Widnes Hall of Fame in 1992.Widnes Vikings chairman Steve O'Connor paid tribute to him, saying: "When I first started watching Widnes in the mid '70s, Vince Karalius was the coach and everybody acknowledged that he was the catalyst for the 20 years of success that came the way of the club."Whilst I was in Australia for the recent World Cup his name came up in conversation on several occasions with the Australians recognising that he was one of the greatest players ever to come out of the UK. It is a sad day for the rugby league family as we mourn the passing of one of Widnes' favourite sons."St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: "Although from Widnes, 'Vinty' was certainly an adopted Saint and was a real integral part of the club in the 1950s. He was synonymous with hard work and an attitude which was everlasting and committed. He was a most worthy captain of the Saints and his loss is a sad day for the club."RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said his achievements marked him out as "one of the best players of his generation" who "approached the game with fierce determination and total commitment".
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