# Taylan May

Taylan May (born 19 August 2001) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays for the Wests Tigers in the NRL.

## 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.
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.
In October May was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. 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.

### 2023

On 18 February, May played in Penrith's 13-12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge. 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.

### 2024

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

## 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.
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.
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.
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.
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". On 23 May 2024, he was prevented from playing indefinitely by NRL through their no-fault stand down policy.
On 24 August 2024, it was revealed that May had been arrested after breaching the AVO order.
On 10 March 2025. the charges against May had been withdrawn in court.

## Personal life

He is the brother of rugby league players Tyrone May and Terrell May. 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.