Taylan May (born 19 August 2001) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who last played for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL.

Taylan May
Personal information
Full nameTaylan May
Born (2001-08-19) 19 August 2001 (age 23)
Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight92 kg (14 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021–24 Penrith Panthers 30 17 0 0 68
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022 Samoa 5 6 0 0 24
Source: [1]
As of 10 May 2024
RelativesTerrell May (brother)
Tyrone May (brother)

Background

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He played junior rugby league for the Minchinbury Jets.

Playing career

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2021

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In round 21 of the 2021 NRL season, May made his debut for Penrith against the Sydney Roosters.

2022

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In round 3 of the 2022 NRL season, May scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 38-20 victory over Newcastle.[2][3]

The following round against South Sydney in the Grand Final rematch, he scored two tries in Penrith's 26-16 win. In the 2022 Qualifying Final, May was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous high tackle and later suffered a hamstring injury in Penrith's 27-8 victory over Parramatta. May missed Penrith's 2022 NRL Grand Final victory over Parramatta due to injury.[4]

In October May was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[5] In the third group stage match at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, May scored four tries for Samoa in their 62-4 victory over France.[6]

2023

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On 18 February, May played in Penrith's 13-12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge.[7] On 20 February, it was confirmed that May would miss the entire 2023 NRL season after tearing his ACL during Penrith's World Club Challenge loss.[8]

2024

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On 24 February, May played in Penrith's 2024 World Club Challenge final loss against Wigan.[9] On 11 June, May was issued a show cause notice to attend the clubs board to plead his case.[10] On 5 July, May was released from his playing contract with Penrith and would seek opportunities elsewhere.[11]

Controversies

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On 6 April , 2022, May was charged by the Queensland Police Service with assault occasioning bodily harm. The charge relates to an incident that occurred in November 2021, while May was on leave following the 2021 NRL season.[12][13]

On 31 August 2022, May was found guilty of assaulting a man which occurred following Penrith's 2021 NRL Grand Final victory. May was ordered to pay a $1000 fine and no criminal conviction was recorded.[14]

On 7 September, May was suspended for two matches by the NRL and fined, however May's suspension was backdated until the start of the 2023 NRL season which meant he was allowed to participate in the 2022 finals series.[15]

On 16 April 2024, it was reported that May had been placed under investigation by the NRL after he filmed himself as the passenger of a vehicle which was driving 96kmh in a 50kmh residential zone. May subsequently deleted his social media over the incident in an attempt to hide the video but it was revealed it had already been leaked to the media.[16]

On 18 May 2024, it was revealed that May had been arrested by police and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), and two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV). It was alleged that the offence had occurred a month prior. The Penrith club released a statement saying “Penrith Panthers are aware of an alleged incident regarding player Taylan May, which has resulted in police charges, “As this is a legal matter, the club will make no further comment at this stage".[17] On 23 May 2024, he was prevented from playing indefinitely by NRL through their no-fault stand down policy.[18]

On 24 August 2024, it was revealed that May had been arrested after breaching the AVO order.[19]

Personal life

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He is the brother of rugby league players Tyrone May and Terrell May.[citation needed] He plays under the name 'Tiny May' for Samoa. He is 1-0 in his professional boxing career, fighting on the undercard of Paul Gallen against Darcy Lussick, beating Sydney Roosters hooker Freddy Lussick.

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "Panthers star's 'Fittler-esque' masterclass, Blueprint to beat Roosters revealed: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  3. ^ "'Doesn't need me kicking him': O'Brien and Cleary respond to Knights star's 'unusual' send-off". www.foxsports.com.au.
  4. ^ "Cleary drops jaws with perfect return; flyer back to best with 222m stunner: Penrith ratings". www.foxsports.com.au.
  5. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  6. ^ "Samoa thumps France at Rugby League World Cup to set up quarterfinal clash with Tonga". www.abc.net.au.
  7. ^ "St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'". www.bbc.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Panthers star OUT for season after cruel blow; Bulldogs enforcer set for sideline stint: Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
  9. ^ "World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors 16-12 Penrith Panthers - Cherry and Whites crowned world champions for fifth time". www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. ^ Chammas, Michael (11 June 2024). "Taylan May fronts Panthers board to answer show-cause notice". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Club Statement: Taylan May". Penrith Panthers. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Panthers young gun Taylan May charged with assault". www.news.com.au.
  13. ^ "Panthers young gun Taylan May charged with assault after 2021 incident". www.foxsports.com.au.
  14. ^ "Panthers star Taylan May found guilty of assault as magistrate slams 'cowardly' act". www.foxsports.com.au.
  15. ^ "'Drinking the Kool-Aid': Cleary under fire as NRL 'embarrassed' by Panther's ban blowback". www.foxsports.com.au.
  16. ^ "'NRL looking into' Penrith star Taylan May's bizarre Instagram post". wwos.nine.com.au.
  17. ^ "NRL star Taylan May arrested on alleged domestic violence and stalking charges". www.theguardian.com.
  18. ^ "NRL confirm Panthers star stood down indefinitely over DV charge". www.foxsports.com.au.
  19. ^ Jackson, Andrew (24 August 2024). "Former Panthers player Taylan May to face court over alleged ADVO breach". Fox Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
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