Wild Bull passes away... (Oldies only might remember)

[Quigs]

Just got notified that Vince (Vinty) Karalius passed away on the 13th of December.

Vinty was christened by the aussies during his playing days as The Wild Bull of the Pampus - on the field he was mad. (see pics)

One of if not the toughest to ever strap on a boot.

You Youngens .... too young to know..... time to learn some history of the great game.

Read this page - entry No 2

http://www.eraofthebiff.com/p-22.html - it relates to comments of the Pom team manager during the 1958 test match known as the Battle of Brisbane -

then read this next -

http://www.eraofthebiff.com/mm17.html

and here is part of an interview with the great man

http://www.eraofthebiff.com/p-int07.html

This is the bit that I loved....

"When you think back to olden times, you had the gladiators and the old Romans, the public always liked to see that body contact, they don't want to see tick and pass. I always enjoyed it more if there was a body or two lying about, it made the job a bit more interesting"


RIP Wild Bull.

One of the toughest and most feared players of all time.

I have been running a poll on my website for over 4 years now and Karalius has always been up there at No 1 or No 2. It has been a two horse race between VK and one Les Boyd.

I've have had several stories sent to me about Vinty

see http://www.eraofthebiff.com/p-22.html

For too long Australian Test teams allowed themselves to be baited into fighting against England, at the expense of their football skills. Vince Karalius was one of those Englishmen who could dish it out like this while still playing constructive football -

Rest in Peace Legend

Quigs

 

[The Popper]

The Wild Bull. He was as tough as they come, Quigs. I saw him dish up both Sticks and big Kel in a Test in 1958. No mean feat that. Poms won easily.

 

[Quigs]

Pop believe it or not, I was too young to see him play.

But Ive seen some tapes of him and I have been told too many stories.

My toughman poll on the biff website has been a two horse race since it started four years ago. Karalius and Boyd have streeted the field. At more then one period Karalius headed Boyd.

The Old Poms love him. Visit some of the Pom forums and see what they have said after his passing.

Interesting how he blames Old Fox Harry Bath for turning him into the ferocious player he became. Harry gave him a flogging in his first top grade appearance. And he never forgot it.

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[The Popper]

I'll check some out, Quigs. Yep, the Wild Bull was a great tough player, possibly only rivalled in the Poms by Derek Turner in that regard. He could tear a rival pack apart.
Very tough. But the toughest player I've ever seen was Kevin Ryan. He'd almost break players' backs in tackles and any bloke who had Sattler on the run was super tough in anyone's books.

 

[Quigs]

here you go Popper

RADIO INTERVIEW with Vince Karalius made in 1995 - click link - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7789968.stm" (Courtesy of BBC Radio)

Also there is an interview with Alex Murphy featuring comments on the passing of Vince Karalius

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[The Popper]

Thanks for that, Quigs. Those interviews were great. Gee, it brought back memories. I saw that game in Brisbane where the Poms won with 10 men and Prescott played with a broken arm. It was a very sobering moment for an Aussie supporter. And I was at the SCG for the 3rd. Test where the Poms won 40-12 (I think). That's the match that Karalius got stuck into our bigger forwards.
And Alex Murphy - what a great player he was. Partnered Dave Bolton who later played for the Tigers. Following Murphy was another great Pom player who played an outstanding part in the early success of our club - the great Tommy Bishop.
And Eric Ashton - one of the only two centres I ever saw get on top of Puff the Magic Dragon. The other one was Gil MacDougall. He seemed to have Puff's measure. And Dick Huddardt who later became part of the great St.George teams of that era.
Yep. The Poms were sure good in those days. I remeber in 1962. I was training at Moore Park. St.George were playing the Poms at the Cricket Ground. All our team wanted to go but the coach wouldn't let us. The Poms won 33-5 as it turned out. Yep. That's how good the Poms were in those days.
Thanks again, Quigs. Great stuff.

 

[Quigs]

Pop have I got some christmas presents for you... you wont believe it.

Check your PM

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Cliffy Watson is still a common sight round my neck of the woods. Looks pretty fit.

 

[Quigs]

You want some pressies too Gunnah..?

Only if you have been good.

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[Quigs]

Gunnah PM on the way..

Cheers
Quigs

 

[gunnamatta bay]

You want some pressies too Gunnah..?

Only if you have been good.

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

yes pls santa i've been reasonably good.

 

[The Popper]

Thanks, Quigs. I'll check those out.
Hey, a fact most won't know is that the Pommie teams in those days used to stay at the old Cecil Hotel at Cronulla Beach. A few of them even came to training at Woolooware Oval in those days too, to give us a few tips. Yep. It was League at Woolooware Oval then before the Ratbags decided to dress the ground with blue metal.
Also, I was fortunate to go to the official reception for the Poms at St.George Leagues Club in 1966. Yep. That's the year young Artie Beetson grabbed his piece of history. Poms played the Tigers that year too. Balmain won 9-8. One or both of Tommy Bishop and Bill Burgess were sent off in that game. That year was pretty much the last time I didn't back Tommy. For the next Pom tour in 1970, our brave little captain was leading the Sydney Colts against the Poms....at Endeavour Field from memory. Also from memory, I think the Poms won that match, as well as the Test Series....the last Test Series they won against us.

 

[Frenzy.]

Thanks, Quigs. I'll check those out.
Hey, a fact most won't know is that the Pommie teams in those days used to stay at the old Cecil Hotel at Cronulla Beach. A few of them even came to training at Woolooware Oval in those days too, to give us a few tips. Yep. It was League at Woolooware Oval then before the Ratbags decided to dress the ground with blue metal.
Also, I was fortunate to go to the official reception for the Poms at St.George Leagues Club in 1966. Yep. That's the year young Artie Beetson grabbed his piece of history. Poms played the Tigers that year too. Balmain won 9-8. One or both of Tommy Bishop and Bill Burgess were sent off in that game. That year was pretty much the last time I didn't back Tommy. For the next Pom tour in 1970, our brave little captain was leading the Sydney Colts against the Poms....at Endeavour Field from memory. Also from memory, I think the Poms won that match, as well as the Test Series....the last Test Series they won against us.

I was at that Colts match Pop. I think Ray Corcoran played on the wing. If I remember correctly some kicking beast of a fullback from the Poms potten a field goal from halfway on the sideline where the old hill on the PB stand side was.

Colts played in a jersey almost the same as the Roosters classic jersey but the blue was darker.

I was supposed to be in school I think.

 

[Quigs]

I saw that one too Cap'n.

And our brave little Lion Heart punched Dougie Laughton in the head to start an all in..... good stuff indeed.

I think 13,000 attended the game and at the time was a ground record.

pssst you want pressies too.

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[Quigs]

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh (check me f**king spellun')

I'm singing carols while Nero burns and Rome fiddles .....

through the fields we go

laughing all the way....

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[Quigs]

Thanks, Quigs. I'll check those out.
Hey, a fact most won't know is that the Pommie teams in those days used to stay at the old Cecil Hotel at Cronulla Beach. A few of them even came to training at Woolooware Oval in those days too, to give us a few tips. Yep. It was League at Woolooware Oval then before the Ratbags decided to dress the ground with blue metal.
Also, I was fortunate to go to the official reception for the Poms at St.George Leagues Club in 1966. Yep. That's the year young Artie Beetson grabbed his piece of history. Poms played the Tigers that year too. Balmain won 9-8. One or both of Tommy Bishop and Bill Burgess were sent off in that game. That year was pretty much the last time I didn't back Tommy. For the next Pom tour in 1970, our brave little captain was leading the Sydney Colts against the Poms....at Endeavour Field from memory. Also from memory, I think the Poms won that match, as well as the Test Series....the last Test Series they won against us.

Pop if my memory serves me correctly in that Tigers game that one of the little Pommy halves gave the linesman a clip after the game. They couldn't press any charges because they were not sure who the offender was. But I am sure there were very strong allegations that some cheeky little pom smacked the linesman. Wonder who ???

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

 

[The Popper]

Pop if my memory serves me correctly in that Tigers game that one of the little Pommy halves gave the linesman a clip after the game. They couldn't press any charges because they were not sure who the offender was. But I am sure there were very strong allegations that some cheeky little pom smacked the linesman. Wonder who ???

Cheers
Declared Idiot #88
Quigs

Well, in 1966 I thought it coulda been Tommy. But in 1969 I realised he'd never do a thing like that.