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Terrell May provides boost for Samoa against Tonga
Joel Gould, AAP • October 23rd, 2025 8:13 am
Terrell May | Photo: AAP
Prop forward Terrell May has declared himself fit and available for Samoa selection after the NRL cleared hooker Jazz Tevaga to take on Tonga.
Wests Tigers powerhouse May missed the 24-18 loss to New Zealand in the opening round of the Pacific Cup in Auckland with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old trained with the Samoa team on Tuesday and has been named on an extended bench for Sunday's showdown at Suncorp Stadium.
Coach Ben Gardiner will make a call later in the week on whether May is a late inclusion in the 17 after his stellar season for the Tigers.
Tevaga left the field against the Kiwis in the 24th minute of Sunday's match after displaying symptoms.
The Manly rake was not categorised as a grade one or two HIA but was ruled out of the match as a precaution. His recovery during the week convinced both Samoa and the NRL's medical staff that he is right to take his place in the team.
That development is welcomed after key forwards Jaydn Su'A and Ata Mariota were both rubbed out of the Tonga clash due to concussions.
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May trained at Ballymore late on Tuesday and told AAP he was keen to play alongside elite middle forwards he had always idolised.
"I've trained and I am available," May said at Samoa's fan day in Logan.
"I do want to play but it is not up to me. It is up to BG (Gardiner) at the end of the day.
"I was carrying the injury last week but I am all good now. I am a pretty quick healer.
"This is probably the best pack that I could play in. I looked up to guys like Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo growing up and obviously Payne (Haas) now.
"I am getting the experience behind them and I am trying to learn off them every single day. I will only get better."
More than 8500 supporters attended Samoa's fan engagement day and May was a hit with fans.
"It's a great experience," May said.
"It is probably the first time I have been involved in a parade like this where I am not involved as part of the crowd. I am actually on the other side and it is crazy how our people turn up for us.
"It is inspiring for me because we just don't play for ourselves. We play for our people, our family and our culture. This is bigger than rugby league."
Samoa must beat Tonga to have any chance of playing in the Pacific Cup final on November 9.
