Taylan and Terrell May have confirmed they will remain with the Wests Tigers until the end of 2030, despite a recent social media post that suggested otherwise. The post, which claimed they would join Jarome Luai and their older brother, Tyrone May, at the PNG Chiefs in 2028, caused confusion among fans.
Just days after Luai announced his intention to leave the Tigers at the end of 2027, the May brothers sparked speculation about their future with a social media post.
In the video, Terrell expressed his thoughts: “Hey everyone, all the Tigers fans and every single person, it’s Terrell and ‘Tiny’ [Taylan] here, obviously with the rumours going around with contract stuff, me and Tiny want to be transparent with you guys, and just announce an opportunity has come about to play with our older brother in PNG in 2028.”
Taylan added: “We’re grateful for what the club [the Tigers] has given us, especially me, they gave me a second chance. But like [coach] Benji [Marshall] says, ‘family comes first’, and that was the best decision for me and my brother and our family. Now we all get to play together. We’re still here until 2028. Thank you.”
Minutes later, the club released an official statement confirming the May brothers had signed three-year contract extensions. Part of the agreement allowed them to share the news on their social media accounts, which they did in a confusing manner.
Regardless of the initial confusion, the Tigers have secured the services of two of their most talented players. The front-rower and centre are key assets for the team, with sources indicating that Terrell’s deal is worth just over $1 million per season. This places him among the top props in the game.
The 27-year-old is back in the NSW conversation, while Taylan, who recently returned from a shoulder injury, is one of the most physical centres in the league and is seen as a potential Blues contender in the coming years.
However, not all Tigers players are focused on Origin call-ups. Adam Doueihi, one of the club’s standout performers this season, has no interest in entertaining talk about an Origin selection.
Andrew Johns, an immortal of the game, recently praised Doueihi in his column, stating he would be the NSW No. 14 due to his form and versatility.
“He’s a bigger body, he can play seven or six, he can play centre, he can play fullback, he can play lock, he can play in the back row – he could even play a small window at dummy half if it was needed,” Johns wrote.
Doueihi, 27, is a proud New South Welshman but dismissed the idea of an Origin call-up. “I’m not buying into that. If it comes it comes,” he said.
Despite his focus on the Tigers, Doueihi praised Luai for helping elevate his own game.
“He spoke to us as a playing group before he told PNG about the [signing] news, he was really honest, it was a bit of a shock, but it also happened so quickly,” Doueihi said.
“We knew it was a big decision for him and his family, and also the best one. It’s still so far away, and I want to make the most of playing with him the next 18 months.
“The way he competes, especially at training, he has lifted the standards. He lives and breathes footy, and knows what it takes to win. He’s won four comps. He’s our captain and complements Api Koroisau so well.
“Just spending time with him in the halves, you quickly realise how gifted and selfless he is. He allows me to play my role, and I’m really enjoying that.”
The third-placed Tigers will face Cronulla without hooker Api Koroisau, who received a three-match ban for a hip-drop tackle on Canberra’s Noah Martin. Fullback Bula is also out for up to a month with a shoulder injury.
