{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Taylan May |fullname = Taylan May |image = TAYLAN MAY (cropped).jpg |image_size = |position = {{rlp|WG|CE}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2001|08|19}} |birth_place = Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia |height = {{convert|181|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|97|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |club1 = Penrith Panthers |year1start = 2021 |year1end = 24 |appearances1 = 30 |tries1 = 17 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 68 |club2 = Wests Tigers |year2start = 2025 |year2end = present |appearances2 = 13 |tries2 = 9 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 36 |teamA = Samoa |yearAstart = 2022 |yearAend = |appearancesA = 5 |triesA = 6 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 24 |new = yes |source = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/taylan-may/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref> |updated = 16 May 2026 | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = | mother = | spouse = | education = | alma_mater = | relatives = Terrell May (brother)<br>Tyrone May (brother) }} }}
'''Taylan May''' (born 19 August 2001) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer. May plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
==Background== He played junior rugby league for the Minchinbury Jets.
==Playing career== ===2021=== In round 21 of the 2021 NRL season, May made his debut for Penrith against the Sydney Roosters.
===2022=== In round 3 of the 2022 NRL season, May scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 38–20 victory over Newcastle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/sydney-roosters-v-penrith-panthers-nrl-live-stream-live-scores-updates-round-21-live-blog-supercoach-scores/news-story/0e89ac1a2067b9268954842e7a6bfa34/|title=Panthers star's 'Fittler-esque' masterclass, Blueprint to beat Roosters revealed: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-ivan-cleary-adam-obrien-mitchell-barnett-sendoff-penrith-panthers-vs-newcastle-knights-round-3/news-story/9d45cffffda2afd724ac3ab05af0d761/|title='Doesn't need me kicking him': O'Brien and Cleary respond to Knights star's 'unusual' send-off|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-penrith-panthers-player-ratings-qualifying-final-nathan-cleary-brian-too-man-of-the-match/news-story/1310c36946f8b81fb2a4cb9c4f570d4a/|title=Cleary drops jaws with perfect return; flyer back to best with 222m stunner: Penrith ratings|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
In October May was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.<ref>[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-31/samoa-france-tonga-rugby-league-world-cup/101595580/|title=Samoa thumps France at Rugby League World Cup to set up quarterfinal clash with Tonga|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref>
===2023=== On 18 February, May played in Penrith's 13–12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64692630|title=St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-shaun-lane-injury-jaw-cheekbone-parramatta-eels-matt-doorey-trials-knights-matt-doorey-casualty-ward-return-date/news-story/a18d4cb0c68641c1ecbc89b4e53d14e2/|title=Panthers star OUT for season after cruel blow; Bulldogs enforcer set for sideline stint: Casualty Ward|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
===2024=== On 24 February, May played in Penrith's 2024 World Club Challenge final loss against Wigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68337685|title=World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors 16-12 Penrith Panthers - Cherry and Whites crowned world champions for fifth time|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On 11 June, May was issued a show cause notice to attend the clubs board to plead his case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chammas |first=Michael |date=2024-06-11 |title=Taylan May fronts Panthers board to answer show-cause notice |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/taylan-may-fronts-panthers-board-to-answer-show-cause-notice-20240611-p5jkxl.html |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> On 5 July, May was released from his playing contract with Penrith and would seek opportunities elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-04 |title=Club Statement: Taylan May |url=https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2024/07/05/club-statement-taylan-may/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Penrith Panthers |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2025 === On 10 June. the Wests Tigers announced that they had signed May on a train and trial deal for the rest of the season. In round 20 of the 2025 NRL season, May made his club debut for the Wests Tigers in their 21–20 victory over the Gold Coast where he scored a try.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Wests Tigers sign Taylan May on train and trial deal |url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/06/10/wests-tigers-sign-taylan-may/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Wests Tigers |language=en}}</ref> On 9 September, May had at first rejected an initial three-year deal with the Wests Tigers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=May signs $1.25m Tigers deal after rejecting initial offer |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-taylan-may-wests-tigers-contract-extension-salary-20250909-p5mtm9.html |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Nine |language=en}}</ref> Hours later, the Wests Tigers announced that May had re-signed with the club on a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=Taylan May extends on two-year deal |url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/09/09/taylan-may-extends-on-two-year-deal/ |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Wests Tigers |language=en}}</ref> May played seven matches for the Wests Tigers in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 13th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-season-review-wests-tigers-20250913-p5muql.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Late season form proved Wests Tigers 'fell apart' after Galvin 'squabble'|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
=== 2026 === On 1 May, the Tigers announced that May had re-signed with the club until the end of 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pryde |first=Scott |date=2026-05-01 |title=Not following Luai: Tigers lock in two stars on long-term deals |url=https://www.zerotackle.com/not-following-luai-tigers-lock-in-two-stars-on-long-term-deals-233230/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=Zero Tackle |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Controversies == 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers-young-gun-taylan-may-charged-with-assault/news-story/256bbb3417854117deb2f8303529d6d7|title=Panthers young gun Taylan May charged with assault |website=www.news.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-taylan-may-assault-charges-penrith-panthers-statement-queensland-police/news-story/624326bace794449b2e35def2f60ec0b|title=Panthers young gun Taylan May charged with assault after 2021 incident|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-taylan-may-guilty-of-assault-penrith-panthers-sentence-news-updates/news-story/bc6e0bb8610a953e9975bd0df972bc37/|title=Panthers star Taylan May found guilty of assault as magistrate slams 'cowardly' act|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-taylan-may-suspended-ban-assault-charge-penrith-panthers-ivan-cleary-gus-gould/news-story/bcc198ef2aa1551f573754f726f9376d/|title='Drinking the Kool-Aid': Cleary under fire as NRL 'embarrassed' by Panther's ban blowback|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2024-taylan-may-instagram-social-media-video-penrith-panthers-reports/80fcca28-0edd-47e5-a32e-14ca65c4ac2a/|title='NRL looking into' Penrith star Taylan May's bizarre Instagram post|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}</ref>
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, in a case of domestic violence. 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/18/nrl-star-taylan-may-arrested-on-alleged-domestic-violence-and-stalking-charges/|title=NRL star Taylan May arrested on alleged domestic violence and stalking charges|website=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> On 23 May 2024, he was prevented from playing indefinitely by NRL through their no-fault stand down policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/panther-taylan-may-set-to-be-stood-down-indefinitely-over-domestic-violence-charge/news-story/daf94fb1f6ca7fd0ca1ec1ae7bbf0111/|title=NRL confirm Panthers star stood down indefinitely over DV charge|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
On 24 August 2024, it was revealed that May had been arrested after breaching the AVO order.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Andrew |date=2024-08-24 |title=Former Panthers player Taylan May to face court over alleged ADVO breach |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-taylan-may-arrested-court-hearing-update-news-charges-penrith-panthers/news-story/06e7955cc7ee8f8ff17059cc1f37fb8e |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>
On 10 March 2025, the charges against May had been withdrawn in court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Proszenko |first=Michael Chammas, Adrian |date=2025-03-10 |title='He's free to play': Taylan May cleared for NRL return after DV charges withdrawn |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/domestic-violence-charges-against-taylan-may-withdrawn-20250310-p5lidp.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == He is the brother of rugby league players Tyrone May and Terrell May.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=How Tough Love Upbringing Prepared May for Success |url=https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2023/08/31/how-tough-love-upbringing-prepared-may-for-success/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Sydney Roosters |language=en}}</ref> 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 New Zealand Warriors hooker Freddy Lussick.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/penrith-panthers/taylan-may/ Penrith Panthers profile] *[https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup/samoa/taylan-may/ Samoa profile]
{{Wests Tigers squad|state=collapsed}} {{Samoa 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:May, Taylan}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Australian people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Taylan Category:Penrith Panthers players Category:Wests Tigers players Category:Rugby league centres Category:Rugby league wingers Category:Rugby league players from Blacktown Category:Samoa national rugby league team players Category:Samoan rugby league players Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen Category:Western Suburbs Magpies NSW Cup players