One of the four original Immortals, Raper endured a long battle with dementia after being named in rugby league's team of the century following a decorated career that included eight consecutive grand final victories with St George.

The legendary lock also captained Australia eight times during his 39-Test career, including the 1968 World Cup-winning side.

"A true champion. He will be sadly missed," St George great Steve Edge told AAP on Wednesday.

Former NSW State of Origin coach and series-winning player Laurie Daley said the entire rugby league world would be shocked and saddened by Raper's passing.

"Very sad when I heard the news," Daley said.

"Chook was a massive figure in the game, certainly a massive figure at the Dragons.

"I had a bit to do with Chook when I was playing for NSW and Chook was chairman of selectors. Really enjoyed his company, he was good fun to be around.

"Obviously the last few years haven't been the best because he's been unwell.

"It's always a shock when you hear the news. In particular, I think it hits harder when they're a legend of the game, they're a massive figure.

"Anyone that knows rugby league or has been involved in rugby league knows the name Johnny Raper, so there'd be a lot of sad people today."

Born in Revesby, Raper debuted for Newtown in 1957, playing 37 games for the Bluebags before forging his magnificent career with the iconic Dragons team of the 1950s and 60s.

He pulled on the famous Red V 185 times and won his premierships between 1959 and 1966 before being bestowed by the Australian Rugby League alongside Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier and Bob Fulton as one of the first Immortals in 1981.

The ARL Commission also paid tribute to the two-time NSWRL player of the year.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys - a passionate Dragons fan - hailed Raper as, obviously, one of the greatest players in the game's history.

"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.

"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."

JOHNNY RAPER MBE

Born: Revesby, Sydney, April 12, 1939

Age: 82

Position: lock

ARL playing career

Newtown: 37 games (1957-58) - 10 tries; 30 points

St George: 185 games (1959-69) - 8 premierships (1959-66); 47 tries; 4 goals; 149 points

Representative playing career

NSW: 24 games (1959-70) - 5 tries; 15 points

Australia: 39 Tests (1959-68) - 9 tries; 27 points

Coaching career

St George: 23 games (1969) - 14 wins, 9 losses

Cronulla-Sutherland: 44 games (1975-76) - 18 wins, 2 draws, 24 losses

Newtown: 18 games (1978) - 2 wins, 1 draw, 6 losses

Australian Associated Press