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John Raper was a unique individual in many ways – he was not only a champion rugby league player but also a larger-than-life character off the field and in retirement for the best part of five decades.
The rugby league world has lost a giant of the game following the death of the Immortal forward on Wednesday, aged 82.
Raper, who had been battling dementia in his latter years, was a legendary lock for St George, NSW and Australia in a playing career which spanned nearly two decades from 1957.
One of four players selected as the original Immortals in 1981, he kicked off his career with a single season at Newtown before switching to St George.
He enjoyed an illustrious career at the Saints, winning eight premierships during their golden era of 11 straight titles while also representing Australia in 39 Tests, including three Kangaroo tours which also featured another 35 matches in the green and gold.
”Chook”, was Australian captain when they won the 1968 World Cup, also played for NSW on 31 occasions.
A renowned defender, he was known for his low diving tackles and he also possessed a true instinct in attack for making the right play almost always.
At club, state and international level, he played 377 matches, scoring 96 tries and establishing himself as one of rugby league’s all-time greats.
Often when you meet rugby league players renowned for their legendary toughness, you expect them to be massive in stature. Raper was hardly a big man and was often dwarfed by current players when he was seen at matches, usually at Dragons games, passionately cheering them on at every opportunity.
He was also an outspoken critic after his playing career and would never be backward in coming forward when he thought a player or team needed a rev-up in the media.
And his words carried great weight due to his immense gravitas – nobody could second-guess his views because he always spoke from the heart.
Vale John Raper.
On behalf of all players, the RLPA passes on their sincerest condolences for the passing of one of rugby league's icons and trailblazers. pic.twitter.com/YNLJb7rjP5
— RLPA (@RLPlayers) February 9, 2022
Two years ago when he celebrated his 80th birthday at a nursing home in Sydney’s south, more than 45 people turning up, including his wife Caryl, sons, Stuart, Aaron and Kurt, brothers Robert, Maurie, Michael, Gerard, Paul and Peter, and friends Billy Smith, Noel Kelly and John Riley.
His son Stuart, a former Sharks coach, told the NSWRL at the time that he had never seen his dad smile so much.
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/04/17/rugby-league-immortal-john-raper-celebrates-80th-birthday/
He said the highlight was John breaking into song to recreate his Jax the Ripper Tyreman Ad from 1976, and also a traditional Welsh song, Sosban Fach, to honour Caryl’s heritage.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said Raper would never be forgotten.
“Today we have lost one of our all time greats. An Immortal, a Kangaroos captain and an eight-time Premiership winning player. Johnny was the best of the best,” V’landys said.
Vale John ‘Johnny’ Raper.
The rugby league community is today mourning the passing of one of the true greats of rugby league.https://t.co/tGOZrDkMtV pic.twitter.com/wco4QBpAfm
— NRL (@NRL) February 9, 2022
“Johnny was a football genius. He had a gut instinct for rugby league like few we have seen. He wasn’t the biggest player on the field, but he was the smartest. Johnny’s feats with the Dragons will remain part of rugby league legend forever.
“On behalf of the game, I send my deepest condolences to Johnny’s family, friends and teammates.”
He was the last remaining member of the original quartet of immortals after Bob Fulton died last year, following the deaths of Reg Gasnier in 2014 and Clive Churchill in 1985. There are now 13 Immortals in the NRL Hall of Fame, including the most recent inductee, Raper’s long-time St George captain Norm Provan, who passed away last October.
Among the many achievements Raper racked up throughout his career, he was man of the match in the last grand final of St George’s premiership streak in 1966, he was named in the Team of the Century for NSW and Australia, he captained the Kangaroos in eight Tests and was a dual recipient of the NSWRL player of the year award.
The St George Illawarra Dragons are deeply saddened by the passing of St George Dragons and rugby league immortal Johnny Raper. Raper passed away following a long battle with illness. He was 82.#redv
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) February 9, 2022
After his last season at St George in 1969, he played another five years in the Newcastle competition before returning to the big league to coach Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (1975-76) and Newtown Jets (1978).
He remained in touch with the game as a representative selector for many years
St George Illawarra chairman Craig Young remembered Raper as an inspiration to all who have worn or cheered for the Red V.
“Johnny Raper was an inspiration to his teammates and the entire St George organisation and is one of the key reasons why the famous Red V holds such esteem to this very day,” St George Illawarra and St George District chairman Craig Young said.
“Johnny was a larger than life character on and off the field who loved the game dearly. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten.
The Newtown Jets are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of rugby league immortal John Raper.
While Raper was more famous for his exploits at the St George club, he made his first-grade debut for Newtown in 1957.
The club passes its deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/0TNL6Seobp
— Newtown Jets (@newtownrlfc) February 9, 2022
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