The Hull KR star has answered his international side’s SOS call.
Hull KR treble-winner Tyrone May has earned a late call-up to Samoa’s wider squad ahead of Sunday’s Pacific Championship blockbuster against Tonga.
Ben Gardiner’s side has been left short on troops following several injuries in their 24-18 loss to New Zealand. Ata Mariota and Jaydn Su’A failed head injury assessments, ruling them out of this week’s must-win showdown. It had been believed that new Wakefield Trinity recruit Jazz Tevaga also failed a HIA, but he has been named to start at hooker to face Tonga.
May has answered Samoa’s SOS call just over a week after Hull KR ’s Grand Final triumph over Wigan Warriors, capping a historic season under Willie Peters. The playmaker, who last represented Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in England, has joined brother and Wests Tigers prop Terrell in linking up with the international squad ahead of Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Terrell was forced to withdraw from the opening match with the Kiwis in Auckland because of a hamstring issue, and has been named in Samoa’s reserves alongside Tyrone. Blaize Talagi and Jarome Luai have been named as starting halves, with Chanel Harris-Tavita on the bench.
The May brothers – Tyrone, Terrell and Wests Tigers winger Taylan – have made no secret of their desire to one day share the same pitch professionally.
“It’s still the dream to all play together one day,” Tyrone told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’re all off [contract] at the end of 2027. When I re-signed with Hull KR the boys understood my intentions and why I did it, and how it was the best thing for my footy, while I know they’re both happy at Wests Tigers. A lot can happen in two years in rugby league. We’ll see.”
The 29-year-old revealed he had spoken to head coach Gardiner several weeks ago about making himself available for the second game, which would have allowed him time to recover from the Old Trafford showdown on Saturday, October 11.