Vincent "Vince" Peter Patrick Karalius (15 October 1932 – 13 December 2008), also known as "the Wild Bull of the Pampas",[2] was an English rugby league footballer, and coach.
Respected for his ferocious attitude on the pitch, he was dubbed 'the Wild Bull of the Pampas' by the Australian press, in reference to the Argentine boxer Luis Ángel Firpo, who had knocked World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey out of the ring back in 1923.
were quick to focus on Karalius' mean defensive play, but his value to St. Helens was also evident in attack where he combined rugby nous with delicate handling skills to distribute effectively.
Vince Karalius played loose forward in St. Helens' 13–2 victory over Halifax in the 1955–56 Challenge Cup Final during the 1955–56 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1956, in front of a crowd of 79,341.
During this period, Vince Karalius played fullback, and was the captain in St. Helens' 12–6 victory over Wigan in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday, 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672.
The first occasion that he lifted a trophy for the club was in season 1960–61 at Central Park, Wigan when St Helens won the Lancashire Cup by 15–9 against Swinton.
Vince Karalius played Loose forward in St. Helens' 16–8 victory over Wigan in the 1953 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1953–54 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 24 October 1953, played Loose forward in the 3–10 defeat by Oldham in the 1956 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1956–57 season at Central Park, Wigan, on Saturday 20 October 1956, played Loose forward in the 2–12 defeat by Oldham in the 1958 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1958–59 season at Station Road, Swinton Saturday 25 October 1958, played Loose forward, and was captain in the 15–9 victory over Swinton in the 1960 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Station Road, Swinton Saturday 29 October 1960, and played Loose forward, and was captain in the 25–9 victory over Swinton in the 1961 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Station Road, Swinton Saturday 11 November 1961.
Alex Murphy acknowledged the support and protection Karalius offered him during their time playing at St Helens.
Commenting on the move, he revealed the work ethic that was such a foundation for his rugby talent: In his first season at Widnes, he helped his hometown team finish third in the Championship, which equalled the club's best league placing.
Vince Karalius played loose forward, and was captain in Widnes' 13-5 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1964 Challenge Cup Final during the 1963–64 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 9 May 1964, in front of a crowd of 84,488.
was moved to write: Thereafter, the nickname stuck and Karalius was firmly embedded in the sporting public's conscience as what a rugby league forward should represent.
[4] Vince Karalius was the coach in Widnes' 19-6 victory over Wigan in the 1984 Challenge Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1984, in front of a crowd of 80,116.