Johnny Raper dead: Rugby league Immortal and Dragons legend passes away aged 82
Johnny Raper’s rugby league career was legendary but his fun-loving off-field exploits were equally as impressive, while he became a post-footy celebrity — and he even made a record.
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This was a boozy function inside the old NSWRL building in Phillip Street, Sydney, and Johnny ‘Chook’ Raper was enjoying a bevy of amber refreshments.
Midway through the Friday afternoon session, Raper started chatting to an American tourist, a man who had heard about rugby league but never watched a full game. Raper was in full swing; laughing, regaling, captivating, entertaining.
The pair drank well into the evening discussing the merits of rugby league over NFL and vice-versa before Raper told the bemused American he had to get home because he was playing first grade footy the next day.
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Our US friend was at a mate’s place in Sydney’s north the next day, at 3pm, when the rugby league started. Shocked, the American told friends: “That’s the guy I was drinking with last night, I can’t believe it! How bloody good does he play.”
That was Chook, the loveable larrikin, who died on Wednesday aged 82.
Always the life of the party, the stories about Raper’s exploits on and off the field are legendary.
There was the time Raper was spotted at Chequers restaurant in Sydney at 2am on the morning of a grand final. No one quite knows how but Raper shook off the shakes, had a blinder and his Dragons secured another title.
There was the tale of Raper getting in at 3am the night before a Test in Leeds during the 1959 Kangaroo tour.
Coach Clive Churchill threatened to drop Raper, who managed to convince his coach that a quick sleep and five-mile road run would cure any hangover.
“John was out on the drink the night before and got home at 3am. Dad said: ‘Chook, you’ve been out all night, I can’t pick you to play, I’ll have to drop you’,” said Clive’s son, Rod.
“Chook said: ‘Clive, I’ll be okay’. John picked himself up, went on a five-mile run in the English fog and then came back and had a sleep. Dad said he was the best player on the field by 100 yards. There are a million of those stories about Chook, he was a fun larrikin. He loved a drink but never caused any trouble.”
Famously, Raper also became “The Man in the Bowler Hat”.
During the 1967 Kangaroo tour, an Australian player was spotted walking through the team hotel in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, wearing nothing but a bowler hat. Many thought it was Chook, who failed to refute the allegation.
It was only years later when Australian, Canterbury and Balmain prop Dennis Manteit admitted he was the man in the bowler hat – not Raper.
Aware he and his teammates back in the 1960s perhaps escaped off-field media scrutiny, Raper would often approach old journos from those halcyon days with a message.
“Thanks for looking after us back then,” he’d say.
Video footage often surfaces on Facebook of Raper singing on Rugby League’s New Faces variety show in the 1970s. He may have forgotten a couple of words but it was an entertaining version of Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.
Raper became a post-footy celebrity. He featured on television commercials, talkback TV shows and was a sought-after guest speaker. He even made a record. He was fun, kind, polite and one hell of a football player.
Growing up in Wollongong my dad was my coach, & he always told me to tackle around the legs like Johnny Raper!
— Garry Jack (@jimmyjack244) February 9, 2022
Then I met Chook when I older, it was a great pleasure.
My condolences to his family.
First we have the passing of Johnny Raper - may he rest in peace and then we find out Turvey has been put in care home as he is suffering from dementia. A sad day for all us old school rugby league fans
— Aye Bee (@WiseOne68) February 9, 2022
RIP Johnny Raper... one of the greats... on and off the field.
— The Mole (@9_Moley) February 9, 2022
Rest well Johnny Raper ðŸ™#NRLpic.twitter.com/OcgMEaGrx9
— The NRL Tweet (@NRLTweet) February 9, 2022
Sadly, the last of the original Immortals – Raper, Churchill, Bob Fulton and Reg Gasnier – has died. And all four of the Dragons’ Immortals have left us – Raper, Gasnier Graeme Langlands and Norm Provan.
Provan died in October last year while Manly Immortal, Bob Fulton, passed away five months earlier.
Raper, who had battled dementia, was a true scallywag, yet his cheeky nature should not diminish what was an amazing training ethic. He set the standard for professionalism in the 1950s and, quite remarkably, was part of eight successive Dragons grand final wins.
“My father said that Chook and Gasnier were the two best players he had ever seen,” said Rod Churchill. “Dad coached a lot of players and played with a lot but Raper was the best forward and Gasnier was the best back.”
Dragons legend and current chairman, Craig Young, said: “There’s only one Johnny Raper. He was unique. St George’s brand wouldn’t be what it is today without Johnny Raper. It’s a team game but Chook was a focal point, on and off the field. He was always up to something, he couldn’t sit still. And that’s how he played.
“They say his training was phenomenal. He and Norm Provan transformed rugby league with the way they trained. They hadn’t seen a trainer like Chook. Individually, he had a lot of talent but he was a team man. He just loved the game.
“People think because he was a larrikin he might have been a smart arse. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He was very humble and a great family man, which I hope doesn’t get lost in his rugby league achievements. His health hasn’t been great over the last few years.”
Former Saints teammate John King was deeply saddened.
“You couldn’t find a better man,” King said. “He was always a lively person on and off the field. He was one of the greatest players I have seen play.
“But when it came to playing the game, there was no more dedicated player. He always set an example when it came to training. Chook was one of the blokes that kept the place alive. He always had something to say and something to do.
“There was no player at St George in my era that trained as hard as he did. He tackled everybody and wouldn’t put it up with any s..t from anyone.
“We used to go down to the Sailing Club (after the club’s grand final wins) and have a few beers the next day. We all ended up getting pissed but there was never any drama. If anyone did get out of line, Chook would pull them into line.
“He would always remind them: ‘You’re playing for St George, you’re playing for the supporters, don’t cause any trouble’.”
During recent years, Raper was a resident at the Garrawarra Centre in Waterfall while his wife Caryl lived at Kirrawee.
‘PROUD TO BE A RAPER’: FAMILY’S TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO LEGEND
By David Ricco, Dean Ritchie
An emotional Stuart Raper, the eldest son of Johnny Raper, has described the impact of his legendary father by saying simply: “I’m so proud to be his son. We’re all proud to be Raper’s.”
Stuart spoke to The Daily Telegraph on behalf of the Raper family, who are grieving the loss of St George great Raper, one of the greatest players in the game’s 114-year history.
Raper fought a long battle with dementia and spent the latter part of his life at Garrawarra Care Centre, in southern Sydney.
The rugby league immortal, Kangaroos captain and eight-times premiership winner was 82.
Stuart said the entire Raper family, including Raper’s loving wife Caryl, several of his brothers and the champion footballer’s grandchildren, were able to say goodbye to Raper before he passed around 9am on Wednesday morning.
“Dad died peacefully at about 9am this morning and Mum was with him,’’ Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“The family are all here now rallying around Mum. His brothers were able to come and see him, which was lovely also.
“My brother Kurt is in Queensland, he would’ve dearly loved to have been here, but he has been in constant contact with us.
“Me and Aaron (younger brother) and the grandkids went and saw him yesterday so we were able to say our goodbyes and that was really special.
“The people of Garrawarra have been great, as a family we can’t thank the entire staff enough for how they looked after Dad.’’
#putoutyourbowler Vale Johnny Raper. Immortal player, immortal bloke. @telegraph_sport@dailytelegraph#ripjohnnyraperpic.twitter.com/IFj31PtH0m
— Scott Bailey (@BooBaileyTele) February 9, 2022
Raper will forever be remembered by rugby league fans as one of the finest footballers to ever lace on a boot.
Stuart, the former Castleford, Wigan and Sharks coach, said the entire family also viewed Raper as something more than just their Dad, husband, brother or grandfather.
“We saw him as a legend too. We’re so proud of what he did in his life, we had some really special times,’’ Stuart said.
“We will always remember the great times we had with him.
“You can’t go anywhere without people recognising the name and they ask you straight away; “Are you related to Johnny Raper?”
“Everyone knows him and he was always willing to talk to anyone.
“He always threw his hand out and shook your hand.’’
Several of Raper’s close friends, including John Singleton and former Dragons teammate Johnny Riley, were able to visit Raper in the last 24-hours.
“Singo was there last night, which was so good. Johnny Riley and his wife also, who have been so good over the years,’’ Stuart said.
“The sad thing is a lot of his close mates aren’t around anymore so he’s gone to join them.
“Dennis Rousten caught the train and just missed him. Dennis is one of Dad’s great friends and they were solid mates from their Wests Newcastle days.
“There were so many others that would’ve liked too, but didn’t get the chance.
“We’re all a bit numb about it.’’
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