Tony Karalius
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Karalius (born 19 September 1944 in Widnes
) is an English
former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain
, and at club level for Widnes
, St. Helens, Wigan
, and Fulham RLFC, playing at , i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums. Tony Karalius is the younger brother of St. Helens and Oldham rugby league footballer, Dennis Karalius, and British Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee, St. Helens and Widnes rugby league footballer, Vince Karalius
.
Tony Karalius won caps for Great Britain
while at St. Helens in 1971 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 1972 against France, and in the 1972 Rugby League World Cup
against New Zealand. He also travelled with St Helens to Sydney for the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge
match against their champions, Eastern Suburbs Roosters.
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, and at club level for Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, St. Helens, Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, and Fulham RLFC, playing at , i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums. Tony Karalius is the younger brother of St. Helens and Oldham rugby league footballer, Dennis Karalius, and British Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee, St. Helens and Widnes rugby league footballer, Vince Karalius
Vince Karalius
Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
.
Tony Karalius won caps for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
while at St. Helens in 1971 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 1972 against France, and in the 1972 Rugby League World Cup
1972 Rugby League World Cup
The sixth Rugby League World Cup was held in France in October and November of 1972. Australia started as the favourites to retain the trophy they had won just two years previously. New Zealand had beaten all three of the other nations in 1971 and France were expected to be tough opponents on their...
against New Zealand. He also travelled with St Helens to Sydney for the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge
1976 World Club Challenge
The inaugural World Club Challenge was actually an unofficial trial of the concept, with 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs playing against 1975–76 Northern Rugby Football League season Challenge Cup winners St. Helens...
match against their champions, Eastern Suburbs Roosters.