A Year of Growth and Determination
A year after being overlooked for a State of Origin debut, Terrell May is determined to prove that he’s playing at a higher level than 12 months ago. The Samoan international is now focused on showcasing his abilities as a potential replacement for Payne Haas, who has been sidelined due to an injury.
May was a standout prop during the early rounds of last season after moving to Wests Tigers. However, he didn’t receive a call-up from Blues coach Laurie Daley, despite the team’s loss in the series. This snub led to frustration, which May expressed online before meeting with Daley. The coach later confirmed that they had cleared the air, and May remains hopeful for future selections.
The 26-year-old has shown no signs of second-season syndrome this season, averaging 161m per game. If he can help the Tigers (5-2) defeat a Cronulla forward pack featuring Addin Fonua-Blake at Shark Park on Sunday, he could further strengthen his case for an Origin debut.
“I feel like I’m playing better than I was last year,” May told AAP. “We’re winning more games, and that’s off the back of the whole team. I feel like even my game has picked up a lot from last year.”
As bad as it sounds, May admitted he isn’t really focused on Origin. “I’m just trying to get better every single day and do what’s best for the Tigers.”
Daley will name his squad for the May 27 series opener after Magic Round. With Haas missing game one due to a knee injury, Daley needs a prop with a big motor who can help the Blues reclaim the series.
“Payne’s a really good friend of mine, and I didn’t like seeing him go down,” May said. “I don’t want to be picked because of injuries. I want to be picked because I’m the best player in my position.”
A Strong Start to the Season
May has been one of the Tigers’ best this season, and he credits his strong start to a change in diet. He also praised coach Benji Marshall’s hard-nosed approach, which has put the Tigers on a path that could end the NRL’s longest-running finals drought.
“I’m really locking in to be honest, every single day and following an animal-based diet,” May said. “For about five months I’ve not had a cheat meal so I can get my body right each week, because last year I was disappointed in my back end of the season so this year I’m just trying to lock in all the way.”
Everyone talks about Benji as this chilled guy, but he’s far from it, he’s very switched on and knows what he needs to get the best out of us.
