NRL immortal John Raper given state send-off

Australian Rugby League ‘immortal’ John Raper will be given a state funeral, with the details announced this afternoon.

The Sydney Cricket Ground will host a state funeral for NRL legend John Raper at the end of this month.

Australian Rugby League “immortal” John Raper will be farewelled at a state funeral later this month.

Raper died last week at the age of 82 after a long battle with dementia.

He is considered the greatest rugby league lock forward, and many consider him the best player ever.

Raper’s family accepted the NSW Government’s offer of a state funeral in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the sport.

The family selected the Sydney Cricket Group for the service.

Raper was a lifetime member and won eight consecutive grand finals there with his beloved St George Dragons.

Souths and St George legends John Raper (front, centre) with John Sattler, Reg Gasnier, Mike Cleary, Graeme Langlands and Ron Coote at the SCG.

“A state funeral is a worthy tribute for Johnny Raper who was one of the most loved players in the history of rugby league,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Thursday.

“It’s only fitting that family, friends and supporters gather at the SCG in recognition of his achievements and life.”

Members of the public are welcome to attend on Monday February 28, with gates opening at 9:45am.

The funeral will be live streamed for those unable to attend.

John William “Chook” Raper was raised in Sydney’s Camperdown, one of nine brothers.

Making his first-grade rugby league debut for Newtown in 1957 aged just 17, his career spanned nearly two decades in which he played 215 first-grade premiership games.

Mr Raper joined St George in 1959, remained there for a decade and claimed eight consecutive grand finals.

Raper celebrates Australia’s Ashes win over England in 1967.

He also played 39 Tests for Australia and captained the team eight times in 1967 and 1968.

With a reputation for playing hard but fair, Mr Raper was never sent off the field for misconduct.

Following his premiership career, Mr Raper went on to coach at Cronulla, Newtown and Kurri-Kurri and later remained active in the sport as a selector.

In 1981, he was named one of the four original Rugby League Immortals along with Reg Gasnier, Clive Churchill and Bob Fulton.

The service at the SCG will be an outdoor seated event, with attendees required to follow COVID-19 measures.