Latest news with #TerrellMay
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tigers stun Roosters for best win of Benji Marshall era
Wests Tigers have bitten back at their critics with the most significant win of the Benji Marshall era yet - a frantic 30-28 upset defeat of the Sydney Roosters that breathes life into their season. Under fire from all quarters this week amid the exit of gun junior Tallyn Da Silva and a six-game losing streak, the Tigers overcame the absences of Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula and rode a stunning 20-0 lead to one of the year's biggest boilovers. Latu Fainu had a career-best game to prove he's ready to replace Lachie Galvin in the halves, while new second-choice hooker Tristan Hope impressed in only his second NRL game by putting Sione Fainu over. In his first appearance against the Roosters since being inexplicably cut, Tigers prop Terrell May was immense at Allianz Stadium with a team-high 199 run metres. An admittedly undermanned Roosters side threatened to break the Tigers' hearts when James Tedesco burrowed over on the left side in the final 20 seconds, helping the Tricolours close to only two points behind. But with seven seconds left, the Roosters were stifled by the Tigers' defence and the visitors held on, Adam Doueihi having landed his third penalty goal minutes before. The Tigers' first defeat of the Roosters since 2018 puts the joint venture two wins out of the top eight to finish the weekend and vindicates Marshall's claims of improvement - albeit not always in results - during his second year as coach. Marshall had been adamant the Tigers were better than their recent form slump suggested and would have been buoyed when Starford To'a offloaded to Charlie Staines down the short-side for first points. Caught napping by that try, the Roosters were asleep at the wheel again when Savala spilt the ball cold on the 50-metre line, allowing Latu Fainu to regather and sprint to the line. Hope's flat ball to bench forward Sione Fainu made it a 20-point game and gave Tigers fans another glimpse into the bright future promised by the trio of brothers brought over from Manly. A rampaging Samuela Fainu! 🔥 — NRL (@NRL) July 6, 2025 The Tigers' defensive resolve was just as promising, with the visitors holding their hosts up over the tryline three separate times in the first half and withstanding 14 more red zone tackles than they enjoyed with the ball. Marshall's side would've been nervous when Mark Nawaqanitawase bulldozed through four defenders for his second try, which cut the lead to only six with four minutes to play. Tedesco's four-pointer pulled the Roosters closer than they'd been since Staines' opener, but time ran out to avoid an all-time Tigers upset.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NSW player defends divisive selection after in-form forwards ignored again
NSW forward Stefano Utoikamanu has defended his inclusion in the Blues squad with Terrell May and Keaon Koloamatangi once again snubbed from the squad. Laurie Daley named an unchanged side to the team that went down to Queensland in Game 2 even though there were calls for a change to the forward pack. And the biggest name under pressure to retain his place on the bench was Utoikamanu. Daley caused a stir when selecting the Melbourne Storm front-rower for Game 2 with the likes of May and Koloamatangi posting better stats week after week at club level. Utoikamanu came off the bench in Game 2 in Perth to play 27 minutes. He ran for 41 metres and made 22 tackles in his short time on the field during the wet conditions. Unfortunately, Utoikamanu also impeded a Queensland defender in the first-half, which denied Nathan Cleary a try for NSW. Against the Sharks on the weekend, Utoikamanu ran for 60 metres and made 21 tackles. After the Game 2 defeat there were calls for Utoikamanu to be replaced with another front-rower who might be able to hand the side more impact from the bench. Except Daley has remained faithful to the side he thinks can get the job done in Sydney having snubbed May and Koloamatangi once again. And after facing backlash to recent performances, Utoikamanu defended his inclusion and claimed he performed the job expected of him from the bench. "I felt like I didn't really do too much wrong, I felt like it was pretty hard to kind of go on in the game when everything was kind of going against us," Utoikamanu said. "It was pretty hard when I came on, but that's not an excuse." Storm coach Craig Bellamy backed Utoikamanu to step up in the Origin arena for Game 3 with the prop also receiving the backing of Daley. And Utoikamanu also claimed he feels comfortable with his role given to him by the NSW coach. "I feel like coming off the bench is a good role for me going into Origin, and I've learnt from that (first) game and I'm pretty excited,'' he said. I'm going to stick to my strengths - I know I'm a strong ball carrier, and in defence just make my tackles - making sure I win my tackles is probably the main thing, and that's what I'm looking to do." "First half we kind of got blown back a bit, but I feel like we had a pretty good second half and came back and anything could have happened," he said. "We're pretty happy with the second half. We know that our discipline needs to be better, and if our discipline's good we have a good chance of winning that game." There were plent of calls for Souths wrecking ball Koloamatangi or May to come straight into the Blues side for Game 3 if they got through their club footy fit. NRL commentator Andrew Voss was adamant Daley had to bite the bullet and call up the in-form May at the expense of Utoikamanu. "I'm putting out Stefano Utoikamanu, I'm rubbing him out," veteran commentator Andrew Voss said on SEN radio. "His first run was great, he put Harry Grant on his bottom. (But) I think the stats will show five or six runs for 40 metres when he gave 20 on his first carry." RELATED: Calls intensify for rule change after Bulldogs and Broncos dudded by Origin Sydney Roosters lose promising young halfback to Bulldogs Jeff Fenech speaks out amid daughter's big news with NRL star While the Blues are unchanged, Billy Slater has made a number of changes. The injury to fullback Kalyn Ponga means Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will move from the wing to fullback, while Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki will make his Origin debut in a shuffled backline. Slater has also brought Josh Papalii out of rep retirement and dropping Mo Fotuaika, Corey Horsburgh and Ezra Mam from the 20-player squad.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Former Penrith young gun Taylan May has been signed by Wests Tigers after domestic violence charges were dropped
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson says 'all players deserve a second chance' after the club officially gave former Penrith flyer Taylan May an NRL lifeline and reunited him with his brother Terrell. Taylan has been in NRL limbo since he was axed by the Panthers last year after being charged over domestic violence allegations and he was subject to the league's stand down policy. He pleaded not guilty and those charges were withdrawn three months ago leaving May, 22, to eye off an NRL return while also recently undergoing treatment in a mental health facility. The Tigers resumed talks once he checked out and South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett had also shown interest in May, which included a tour of the club's headquarters. But May has signed a train-and-trial contract for the rest of the 2025 season, and could yet take the park with his brother. He has been approved to commence training immediately and his paying return would be guided by meeting of training and off-field standards. 'Clearly, Taylan is a quality player who will further strengthen our squad in the back end of the competition,' Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said. 'But we also believe his best chance of success on and off the field is if he is around family and friends. 'He will now have the chance to not only return to a team environment but also to play alongside his brother Terrell – which is important to him.' 'Taylan has made enormous strides since we first met with him 10 weeks ago through voluntarily attending education and counselling sessions. 'All players deserve a second chance and we think this is the environment which gives him the best chance of success both on and off the field.' Richardson said May's contract would be reviewed at the end of the year.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Troubled footy player set to be handed career lifeline after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn
Taylan May is reportedly on the cusp of being offered a deal to join up with a new NRL club and could return to play over the next month. The 23-year-old former Penrith Panthers player is, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, could resurrect his NRL career with the Wests Tigers. The move would see him join up with his older brother Terrell May. May was indefinitely stood down by Penrith under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy in May of last year, with the club later announcing that he'd be leaving the side by mutual agreement. His exit came after he had faced serious accusations relating to an incident in April 2024 at a home in Werrington, with May being charged with domestic violence offences. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear of harm and two counts of contravening an AVO. The charges were later withdrawn. Peter V'landys later confirmed that May could return to play following the dismissal of the charges but the former Penrith player, who made his debut in 2021, delayed any such comeback. The winger had checked into a mental health clinic earlier this year to focus on his well-being. In May, he broke his silence on admitting himself to the facility to Channel 9, stating that he felt like he was 'a whole different person now.' He also added that he could play as early as 'next week', dismissing claims that he would not be a risk to other clubs in the NRL. Now, The Sydney Morning Herald writes that the winger 'underwent a medical exam' at the Tigers on monday. The rugby league player is also understood to have snubbed a train-and-trial offer from the Rabbitohs having visited the club two weeks ago. However, the outlet adds that sources close to the deal say the footy player was drawn to the prospect of playing alongside his older brother Terrell at the Tigers. It comes as Sam Burgess had also reportedly attempted to coax May to join Super League club Warrington. But the former Penrith player has made it clear that he is set on staying in Australia so that he can play alongside his brother. 'I'll just put it out there, I honestly wanna play with my brother,' he recently told Channel 9. 'He has spoken about that in the media and it will be a dream come true, not just for us but for my family. Playing with him would light a bigger fire inside me.'
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tigers on cusp of resurrecting Taylan May's NRL career after Souths snub
Taylan May is reportedly on the cusp of restarting his NRL career at the Wests Tigers alongside his older brother Terrell. May made his debut at the Panthers in 2021 and has played 30 NRL games, but he didn't feature in any of their grand finals and departed the club last year following a string of off-feld incidents. The 23-year-old spent time in a mental health facility earlier this year in an experience he said changed his life. But now May could be back playing first grade in a matter of weeks with the outside back set to accept a train-and-trial contract to play under Benji Marshall. May underwent a medical at the Tigers on Monday, according to The SMH, and could begin training with the club this week once the deal is sealed. May was unable to sign with a club while he was stood down by the NRL under the code's no-fault stand-down policy following charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear of harm, and two counts of contravening an AVO, to all of which he pleaded not guilty. The charges were withdrawn and May is now free to restart his NRL career. He toured the Rabbitohs facilities last month but knocked back their train-and-trial offer as he sees a clearer path to a top 30 contract at the Tigers. May also reportedly knocked back an offer to play under Sam Burgess at Warrington in the Super League. KNIGHTS VETERAN COULD BE SQUEEZED OUT Knights veteran Dane Gagai could be forced to leave the club at the end of the season after it was revealed Newcastle are unwilling to take up his $400,000 team option for 2026. The Newcastle Herald reported Gagai had a team option to remain at the Knights in 2026, valued at around $400,000. However, the Knights reportedly have not taken up the option and are of the belief Gagai is no longer worthy of that sort of money, which is strange because it is about half of what elite centres can earn in the NRL. At 34, Gagai is past his best, but only played Origin last year and was strong in the Knights' 26-22 comeback win over Manly on Thursday night. Gagai ran for 169 metres to go with 12 tackle busts and two linebreak assists to help inspire his side to a crucial victory. Given the Knights' marquee signing Bradman Best is currently out injured and has a history of injuries, it is a confusing decision from Newcastle. Gagai has scored 86 tries and 30 goals in 303 NRL games for the Knights, Broncos and Rabbitohs since his debut in 2011. He has also scored 12 tries in 23 Origins for the Maroons and three tries in five games for the Kangaroos. Gagai's management are now actively shopping him around to rival clubs in need of a veteran outside back. Sources close to the situation have also revealed that even if Gagai is offered a larger deal than what the club is offering, the Knights still may not feel inclined to match it. It is unknown whether any other clubs are interested in his signature at this stage. However, with Dominic Young set to return to the club and James Schiller vying for a permanent centre role, it is unlikely Gagai will stay with the club unless he takes a pay cut.
