Johnny Raper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Johnny Raper
MBE

Raper in 2008
Personal information
Full name	John William Raper
Born	(1939-04-12)12 April 1939 Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Died	9 February 2022(2022-02-09) (aged 82) Caringbah, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Lock
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1957–58 Newtown 37 10 0 0 30 1959–69 St George 185 47 4 0 149 1970–72 Wests (Newcastle) 39 1973–74 Kurri Kurri Total 261 57 4 0 179 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1959–70 New South Wales 24 5 0 15 1959–68 Australia 39 9 0 0 27
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 1969 St George 23 14 0 9 61 1970–72 Wests (Newcastle) 1973–74 Kurri Kurri 1975–76 Cronulla-Sutherland 44 18 2 24 41 1978 Newtown Jets 9 2 1 6 22 Total 76 34 3 39 45
As of 1 August 2009

Johnny Raper (born April 12, 1939 – died February 9, 2022) was a famous Australian rugby league player and coach. People called him "Chook". He played as a 'lock-forward', which is a special position in rugby league. He played for Australia's national team a record 33 times between 1959 and 1968. He also played in six World Cup games.

Johnny was captain for Australia eight times between 1967 and 1968. He also helped the St George Dragons club win eight straight NSWRFL grand finals. Many people think he was one of the best Australian rugby league players of the 20th century.

Early Life & Junior Rugby

Johnny Raper was born in Camperdown, a suburb in Sydney, Australia. He grew up in Revesby with his family, which included nine boys. He started playing junior rugby league for the Camperdown Dragons. In 1956, he played for Newtown's President's Cup team.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Sydney

Johnny Raper began his professional career with the Newtown team in 1957 when he was 18. Even though he became famous as a lock-forward, he played in different positions early on. In 1957, he mostly played in the second row. In 1958, he often played as a five-eighth.

In 1958, Johnny got his first chance to play against top international players. He played for a combined Sydney team against the visiting Great Britain team. He also played for New South Wales Colts against them. In these games, he played as a lock-forward.

In 1959, Johnny joined the St George team. This is where he became an international rugby league star as a lock-forward. He was known for his amazing defence and ball skills. Many people thought he was the best loose-forward in the world. He helped St George win eight Grand finals in a row, from 1959 to 1966.

Dedication to Training

Johnny Raper believed his success came from his hard work and fitness. He trained very hard, even doing extra running and weights by himself every day. He wanted to be the fittest player on the fittest team. The St George team also started using new training methods in the late 1950s. This helped them win many championships.

Playing for Australia

From 1959 to 1960, Johnny went on his first of three Kangaroo tours. These tours were when the Australian team travelled to play against teams in other countries. He scored a try in his first game against Great Britain. For the next ten years, he was almost always in the Australian Test team, unless he was injured.

In 1963, Johnny played a key role in a big win against Great Britain. Australia won 50–12, which was their biggest win against England at the time. This win also helped Australia win the Rugby League Ashes for the first time in 50 years. In that game, Johnny helped set up many tries.

On his third Kangaroo tour in 1967–68, Johnny broke his cheekbone. This made him miss a game. When he returned, he became captain of Australia. He led his country to an 11–3 win over Great Britain in very cold weather.

Johnny Raper also captained Australia in the 1968 World Cup. Australia won all four of their games, including the final against France. His last season with St George was in 1969, where he was both a player and coach. In 1971, he was given Life Membership of the St. George Dragons Club.

Playing in Newcastle

After leaving St George, Johnny Raper played for the Western Suburbs Rosellas in Newcastle from 1970 to 1972. He was the captain and coach of the team. In 1970, he led them to win the grand final. He finished his playing career with the Kurri Kurri team from 1973 to 1974.

Career Statistics

Point scoring summary

Coaching Career

Johnny Raper returned to Sydney as a coach for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 1975 and 1976. His sons, Stuart and Aaron, later played for this club. In 1977, he also coached a rugby union team called Lane Cove Rugby Union Club. In 1978, he briefly coached the Newtown Jets again.

Life After Football & Awards

After retiring from playing, Johnny Raper became a well-known public figure. He appeared in commercials and was a popular guest on TV and radio. He received many important awards for his contributions to rugby league.

In 1985, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He was also chosen as one of the first four "Immortals" of Australian rugby league. This is a very special honour given to the greatest players. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985.

Johnny Raper was known for his fun personality. He became a respected ambassador for rugby league. In 2000, a painting of him was entered into the Archibald Prize, a famous art competition.

In 2002, Johnny was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame. In 2007, experts chose him as the lock-forward in an Australian 'Team of the 50s'.

In 2008, Johnny Raper was named one of Australia's 100 Greatest Players. He was also chosen as the lock-forward in the Australian Rugby League's Team of the Century. This team included the best players from the sport's first 100 years in Australia. He also served in the New South Wales Police Force and was named in their team of the century. In 2008, he was again named lock in the New South Wales team of the century. He was also named captain and second-row forward in the Western Suburbs Rosellas’ team of the century. In 2022, he was named in the St. George Dragons District Rugby League Clubs team of the century at lock.

Passing Away

Johnny Raper spent his last four years in a nursing home after being diagnosed with dementia. He passed away on February 9, 2022, in Caringbah, Sydney, at 82 years old.

Family in Football

Many of Johnny Raper's brothers also played top-level rugby league. His brother Ron played over 100 games for Canterbury. He even kicked a field-goal from halfway in the 1967 Grand Final. Maurie Raper played for Penrith and Cronulla. Gerard and Peter also played a few games for top teams.

Johnny's son, Aaron, played as a hooker for Cronulla and Parramatta from 1990 to 1998. Aaron was a very talented player, but injuries stopped him from reaching his full potential.