Rugby league legend Johnny Raper to be given state funeral after passing from dementia

Rugby league legend Johnny Raper will be given a state funeral after his passing from dementia.

Premier Dominic Perrottet confirmed today that the Raper family had accepted the offer of a state funeral in recognition of his “remarkable contribution to the sport of rugby league”.

“On behalf of the people of NSW, I extend my condolences to Mr Raper’s wife Caryl and three sons Stuart, Kurt and Aaron Raper, his extended family and friends,” Perrottet told the Daily Telegraph.

“Johnny Raper was one of the original four ‘immortals’, alongside Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton and Reg Gasnier, and his rugby league career was outstanding. He gave so much to the sport and to this state. We will all have an opportunity to honour his memory, his talent and his achievements at a State Funeral.

“He was respected, much-loved and gave so much to the game, inspiring many thousands of players who wanted to play like him. Aside from his on-field skills, Mr Raper was also considered one of the game’s greatest characters.”

Raper, one of the greatest figures in rugby league history, passed away earlier this week after a long battle with dementia with clubs all around the world paying tribute to the Immortal.