May sets out Origin stall after making peace with Daley
George Clarke |
A year after being overlooked for a State of Origin debut, Terrell May insists he’s playing better than 12 months ago as he looks to prove his credentials as a ready-made replacement for Payne Haas.
Samoan international May was the standout prop through the early rounds of last season following his move to Wests Tigers, but did not receive a call-up from Blues coach Laurie Daley as NSW went on to lose the series 2-1.
May expressed frustration with his Origin snub on an online gaming platform before meeting with Daley, who later confirmed the pair had cleared the air and the prop would be in the frame for future squad selections.
The 26-year-old has shown no signs of second-season syndrome this season, averaging 161m per game.
He can further push his case for an Origin debut if he can help the Tigers (5-2) take down a Cronulla forward pack boasting Addin Fonua-Blake at Shark Park on Sunday.
“I feel like I’m playing better than I was last year,” May told AAP.
“We’re winning more games and that’s off the back of the whole team.
“I feel like even my game has picked up a lot from last year.
“As bad as it sounds, I’m not really focused on Origin to be honest – I’m just trying to get better every single day and do what’s best for the Tigers.”
Daley will name his squad for the May 27 series opener after Magic Round.
May and Fonua-Blake, who is available for NSW for the first time following a tweak to the Origin eligibility rules, are both endurable, metre-eating front-rowers who can offload.
And with Broncos behemoth Haas to miss game one with a knee injury, Daley needs a prop with a big motor who can help the Blues reclaim the series.
“Payne’s a really good friend of mine and I didn’t like seeing him go down,” May said.
“I don’t want to be picked because of injuries. I want to be picked because I’m the best player in my position.”
May has been one of the Tigers’ best this season and attributed his strong start to the year to a change in diet.
He also said coach Benji Marshall’s hard-nosed approach had put the Tigers on a path which has the potential to end the NRL’s longest-running finals drought.
“I’m really locking in to be honest, every single day and following an animal based diet,” May said.
“For about five months I’ve not had a cheat meal so I can get my body right each week, because last year I was disappointed in my back end of the season so this year I’m just trying to lock in all the way.
“Everyone talks about Benji as this chilled guy but he’s far from it, he’s very switched on and knows what he needs to get the best out of us.”
AAP