VINCE Karalius took no prisoners as a player, with his all-action style and bear-hug tackling technique earning the nickname of the Wild Bull of the Pampas from the Australians.
Signed from West Bank as a 19-year-old in 1951, fitness fanatic Karalius slowly but surely established himself as a Saints regular by the mid 50s.
And with Karalius packing down at loose forward, Saints lifted the Challenge Cup first the first time in April 1956.
He starred in Saints’ triumph over the Kangaroos in 1956 and earned a place on the Great Britain tour in 1958, where he gave the Green and Golds plenty to think about.
After playing a starring role in the Championship Final win over Hunslet in 1959, Karalius assumed the captaincy when Alan Prescott retired.
More Wembley success followed, with Karalius lifting the Challenge Cup as skipper after beating Wigan.
He went on to play 252 times for Saints before returning to his home town Widnes, skippering them to cup success in 1964.
Karalius passed away on 13 December 2008, aged 76.
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