Shouldn’t Influence the Outcome: The Intriguing Situation of Terrell May Grows More Complex After Origin Omission

COMMENT

Terrell May has become the centre of attention in the NRL for a multitude of reasons, but credit must be given for his ability to remain authentic in a game that often feels sanitised.

Coming off a breakout season with the Roosters, the front-rower seemed poised to rise as a key player for the glamorous Sydney club.

Having secured a contract extension halfway through the year, May appeared to be set for a long tenure at Bondi, until an unexpected twist occurred in November.

While on an overseas tour with Samoa—arguably the pinnacle of his career to that point—May was informed by the club that he was no longer needed.

The exact circumstances around May’s exit remain murky, but numerous rumours have circulated regarding his personality and fit within the club.

While the Roosters have faced criticism for their handling of the situation, the lingering speculation about May’s dismissal has undeniably affected his reputation.

The stakes rose further when he notably missed out on selection for the NSW squad.

Considering May’s impressive form—currently sitting fourth on the Dally M Medal leaderboard behind Luke Metcalf, Will Kennedy, and James Tedesco—it raised eyebrows among many NRL fans.

The rationale provided for his exclusion, at least publicly, was that Max King and even reserve prop Stefano Utoikamanu were performing at a higher level.

Although some suggested May’s defensive weaknesses were a factor, he has largely proven to be a reliable presence in the middle of the field for the Wests Tigers, aside from one disappointing match.

Justin Horo, a former Manly player, remarked on the Levels Network, “They’ve used one subpar performance against the Melbourne Storm to push this narrative.” He added, “The reason they’re pressing this is because they can’t disclose the real reasons.”

Catch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

In the early stages of the NRL season, May has been averaging 42 tackles per game with an impressive efficiency rate of 97.7%, with six of his eleven missed tackles occurring in just two matches.

In comparison, King averages 32 tackles per game at 96.4% efficiency while Utoikamanu averages 23 tackles per game at 97% efficiency, despite both playing considerably fewer minutes each week.

Concerns were also raised regarding May’s ability to make an impact from the bench, and whether he could compete against starting props like Payne Haas or Mitch Barnett.

As Greg Alexander pointed out on SEN before the team announcement, “You wouldn’t start Terrell May; his strength lies in playing longer minutes, and a bench player should ideally provide impact.”

Yet, as highlighted by former teammate Brandon Smith, May initially caught everyone’s attention because of how well he performed in an impact role for the Roosters.

Smith stated on The Bye Round Podcast, “He excelled in that position while playing off the bench for the Roosters, which earned him a significant contract. He wasn’t a starting prop; he made his mark as a 35-40 minute front-rower.” He continued, “Now with the Tigers, he’s being pushed to play longer minutes and is putting up impressive stats, but people assume that’s all he can do.”

Moreover, May’s family history—both his brothers Taylan and Tyrone have experienced their fair share of off-field controversies—has been cited as an obstacle he needs to overcome.

The man himself has conceded that it’s a burden he carries. “I was aware I might not make the cut before the season began,” May shared with News Corp. “I feel compelled to exert extra effort because of my last name.”

Another topic of discussion is that Matt King, a member of the Blues coaching staff, also works at the Roosters—the very club that let May go last year. While there’s no suggestion that King influenced May’s exclusion, it would be naive to think discussions surrounding his character and attitude didn’t arise when the selectors were determining the squad.

May himself expressed, “Leaving the Roosters took a toll on my image. No one truly knows what transpired. I still can’t fathom why.” His recent incident during a livestream drew further scrutiny, leading former Blues coach Brad Fittler to label his behaviour as “pathetic,” while Corey Parker advised him to maintain silence.

Parker stated on SEN, “The best route for Terrell May is to keep his mouth shut and concentrate on playing well. The more he talks, the worse it reflects on him.” He added, “Recently, he mentioned to his family that no matter how well he performed, he wouldn’t be picked. This ‘victim mentality’ of having to work harder due to his last name is nonsense.” He emphasised that selection for the Origin side is about character, a player’s contribution to the team, and not merely statistics. “The more he talks, the further away he strays from wearing a Blues jersey. He needs to play and let his performance do the talking.”

Following that incident, May extended an apology and indicated plans to reach out to Laurie Daley when the time feels right, although the coach has denied it was an issue.

Conversely, many who know May personally appreciate his candidness. Smith commented, “I don’t know if his bluntness got him into trouble; it seemed more like a passing remark. Clearly, he’s feeling frustrated, but not everyone has a great sense of humour. He’s open and doesn’t hold back his thoughts—he’s vastly different from typical players, which makes him a great teammate because he’s genuinely funny.” He concluded, “He just doesn’t fit the conventional mould of a Roosters player, nor do I. That bothers some people. He shares his journey, streams, and vlogs—it’s not the traditional footballer lifestyle.

May’s choice to sport a designer bag and showcase his signature rat’s tail during a guest appearance on Fox League’s Sunday Night With Matty Johns sparked significant commentary on social media, much of it cynical.

Critics claimed his fashion choices were a factor in his absence from the State of Origin opener, raising a broader question: why should a player’s off-field attire impact their chance of selection for a representative team?

There are plenty in the rugby league community who advocate for players expressing their personalities outside the game, yet when it doesn’t align with their specific ideals, those players are often vilified.

While May is by no means flawless, his enjoyment of luxury items and camaraderie with friends should not detract from his on-field performance each week.

He is undoubtedly an enigma in a sport that thrives on individuality, and here’s hoping he continues to deliver the sort of performances that keep him in the conversation for representative selection, all while staying true to himself.