THE rugby league world is paying tribute today to Australian test legend Tommy Raudonikis who has died after a long battle with cancer.

He was 70.

The former Western Suburbs and Newtown halfback, who represented Australia in 29 Tests and World Cup matches, and NSW on 24 occasions,  went on to coach New South Wales.

Wayne Bennett was among those many people paying tribute to one of rugby league's true characters and great players. 

"Tommy was one of a kind. There will never be another Tommy Raudonikis," ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.

"Tommy was everything that makes rugby league the greatest game of all.

"As a player, there were none tougher. He was a brilliant halfback, what he lacked in stature he more than made up for in smarts and courage to become one of the best players of his era."

Raudonikis toured with the Kangaroos twice in 1973 and 1978 and played in four Ashes series, always relishing battles with opposing halfbacks like Greg Oliphant and Steve Mortimer most, keeping his rivals out of representative sides for the best part of a decade.