‘Selfish’ Terrell May explains why he snubbed World Cup selection
Terrell May says he decided to withdraw from World Cup selection in order to repay the Wests Tigers for giving him and his brother a big contract this year.
The polarising prop was a notable omission from the Samoa squad on Tuesday, and coach Ben Gardiner revealed May made himself unavailable.
Terrell and Taylan May on their podcast. YouTube
He would have been a near-certainty for selection after playing 23 NRL games this year, averaging 149 run metres per game, registering 78 tackle breaks and 52 offloads.
But by his own admission his form was down on 2025, when he won the club’s best and fairest medal in his first season with the Tigers.
Speaking on his podcast alongside brother Taylan and former NRL player Josh Mansour, May explained why he chose not to play the World Cup.
“It’s a hard one to say this because I do owe Samoa something as well,” the 27-year-old said.
“It’s my culture. But I had to be a bit selfish this time.
“It was a long, stressful thing. It wasn’t just overnight (that a decision was made).
“After (my Tigers) season review I reflected on the year I had. It wasn’t the year I wanted to have.
“(For) the Tigers fans, the club, and just myself, I know I can do a lot better.
“Last year my pre-season was not up to standard, I was probably not even 50 per cent of what I could have (given).
“Signing a long contract with the Tigers, I feel like I owe them.
“If I would have played in a World Cup it would have affected my pre-season again.
“That was the reason. It was obviously hard telling my in-laws and telling my parents.”
Terrell and Taylan May signed fresh Tigers contracts in May which tie them to the club until the end of 2030.
The Tigers endured a tumultuous year in which marquee signing Jarome Luai quit the club, his halves partner Adam Doueihi walked out on the team and refused to play, and they missed NRL finals for a 15th straight year despite leading the competition early in the season.
