Aaron Raper

Aaron Raper (born 28 July 1971) is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. His position of choice was hooker although he could also fill other spots in the team. Raper played in Australia for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Parramatta Eels[2] and in England for the Castleford Tigers (Heritage No. 758).[3]

Aaron Raper
Personal information
Full nameAaron Raper
Born (1971-07-28) 28 July 1971
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1990–95 Cronulla-Sutherland 57 7 0 0 28
1996–98 Parramatta Eels 39 4 0 0 16
1999–01 Castleford Tigers 59 7 0 0 33
Total 155 18 0 0 77
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995 Australia 1 1 0 0 4
1997 New South Wales 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 22 January 2019

Background

Raper is known for being the son of rugby league immortal Johnny Raper and the brother of former Cronulla Sharks head coach Stuart Raper.

Playing career

Raper was graded by the Cronulla Sharks in 1989. He made his first grade debut in his side's 34−0 loss to the Illawarra Steelers in round 21 of the 1990 season. Numerous injury problems, including a blood clot that prevented him playing a single game in first grade during the 1994 season, severely affected his career and prevented him from achieving the status predicted after a fine season with Cronulla in 1992.[4]

He also represented Australia at the 1995 World Cup, and was selected as an interchange player to represent New South Wales in one game of the 1997 State of Origin series but did not take the field.[5]

At Parramatta, Raper was in the 1997 and 1998 sides which made the finals series. Raper's final first grade game in Australia was the infamous 1998 preliminary final against Canterbury. With Parramatta leading 18–2 with 10 minutes to play, it seemed the club was destined to meet Brisbane the following week in the decider but Canterbury managed to stage an incredible comeback and go on to win the match 32–20 in extra time.

Raper then moved to England to play with Castleford and spent 3 seasons with the club before retiring at the end of 2001.[6][7]

Post playing

As of 2010, Raper is the captain-coach of the Collegians club in the Illawarra Rugby League.[8] He previously coached the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg Cup team[9] and the University of Wollongong Bulls.[10]

References
  1. "Aaron Raper - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. "Player Profile - Aaron Raper". yesterdayshero.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  3. "Aaron Raper". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  4. Rugby League Week, 2 September 1992 (Round 22)
  5. GLENN JACKSON AND CHRIS BARRETT (22 May 2010). "Not all were Greats". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  6. "Top 10 preliminary final heartbreaks". www.nrl.com.
  7. "Memorable Match: 1998 Preliminary Final". www.bulldogs.com.au.
  8. "Collegians Rugby League Football Club Ltd". collegians.com.au. 2010. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  9. "Aaron Raper". Sharks Forever. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  10. Gandon, Mike (8 May 2008). "Bulls name Raper". illawarramercury.com.au. Retrieved 27 January 2010.


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