State funeral for RL great Johnny Raper

Johnny Raper will be farewelled in a NSW state funeral, with the premier calling the NRL Immortal one of the "game's greatest characters".

Dominic Perrottet extended the offer to Mr Raper's family in recognition of his contribution to rugby league.

Mr Raper died this week aged 82 after a long battle with dementia.

"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," the premier said on Friday.

"He gave so much to the sport and to this state," Mr Perrottet said.

"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."

He was called "the best of the best" by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys on Wednesday after news of his death.

Mr Raper, affectionately known as Chook, was born in Camperdown in Sydney's inner west and grew up in a working-class family as one of nine boys.

During his career he won eight premierships and was a star of the national team in the 1960s.

He won the Clive Churchill Medal in 1966 and was named an Immortal in 1981.