South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs premiership-winning player Ron Coote has been announced as the 14th rugby league Immortal.

Coote, who won six premierships from nine grand finals, was a pioneering back row forward in the 1960s and 1970s.

The former Kangaroos captain was named the game's latest Immortal during the NRL Hall of Fame ceremony at the SCG on Wednesday.

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"I am a bit taken for words at the moment," Coote said as he accepted the honour.

"I never thought I'd be crying when I was 80.

"To me, it's just sensational. I never thought it would happen."

Coote joins the Immortals list along with Clive Churchill, John Raper, Reg Gasnier, Norm Provan, Graeme Langlands, Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson, Andrew Johns, Dally Messenger, Frank Burge, Dave Brown and Mal Meninga.

He had been considered for Immortal status at every selection stage since the inception of the concept in 1981.

Coote is a Rabbitohs legend, winning four premierships with the club between 1967 and 1971.

He sensationally joined the Rabbitohs' arch-rivals Easts in 1972.

Under Jack Gibson, who along with Wayne Bennett became the inaugural coaches inducted in the NRL Hall of Fame, Coote won two more premierships with the Roosters in 1974 and 1975.

He was named NSWRL Player of the Year on four occasions and captained the Kangaroos to their victory in the 1970 Rugby League World Cup final.

In retirement, Coote was named in rugby league's Team of the Century in 2008 when the game celebrated its centenary in Australia.

"I really appreciate everything rugby league has done for me," he said.

"I've had a great life and I put that down to the opportunity I've been given through playing the game of rugby league."