Wests Tigers star Terrell May opens up on his cult vlogging following
Once a relative unknown, Terrell May has rapidly ascended from humble beginnings to becoming one of rugby league’s premier front-rowers and on the cusp of NSW Origin selection.
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It wasn’t long ago Terrell May lived in housing commission and was a relative unknown in rugby league circles, let alone fighting to get into an NRL team.
Fast forward two years and May has emerged as one of the best front-rowers in the competition and a serious contender for a NSW Origin jumper.
Oh, and not only does he have his own house, he’s helped his parents secure theirs, too.
From punching out 80 minutes at prop, to running marathons, and growing a social media following with his unique vlogs and Twitch streams, May’s turned into an NRL phenom.
After a red-hot start to the year, the Wests Tigers pack spearhead sat down exclusively with Tyson Jackson to discuss what makes the enforcer tick.
NOT SO CAMERA SHY
It’s the sequel of Tales From Tiger Town that no one knew they wanted, but May’s tell-all YouTube series proved every rugby league fan needed it.
While the large majority of NRL stars dreamt of their first grade debut, May’s ambitions were a bit different from the rest.
“I have been recognised more being a YouTuber now than as an actual footy player,” he said.
“I always wanted to be a YouTuber or a pro gamer.
“Honestly I wanted to be a pro gamer before an NRL player, but the scene in (Australia) wasn’t that big, so I switched all my focus to footy.
“People get to see myself and the boys’ personalities and just a raw and honest vlog, unlike that scripted stuff.”
May’s candid videos could be seen as a nightmare for many clubs and their overprotective staff, but the Tigers have encouraged their new-look team to showcase their personalities.
The likes of Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, and Lachlan Galvin have featured heavily in recent episodes, with May revealing a few of his teammates are looking to start their own series.
“They love it,” May said. “They always laugh at it and mock me, but it’s actually funny because the coaches like it too.”
May has only vlogged his team’s away trips so far, with the goal to try and give people insights into how the boys are when they are all together.
His streaming, on the other hand, follows a bit more routine.
When May finishes training, usually around 1pm, his second job starts, trying to jump on his Twitch channel every night between 5-8:30pm.
Usually including his Tigers teammates, May has been accused of taking his video games too seriously. But it’s not all about the gaming for the 26-year-old.
Using the live chat tool allowed fans on any platform to connect with him.
“I really just tell my stream, to not really talk about footy. But if they have personal stuff they want to talk about, or want to have a laugh … the stream just goes off that,” he said.
While May’s popularity has skyrocketed, with some of his YouTube videos racking up close to 70,000 views, he understands it might not be for everyone.
“Some people may find it’s too much,” he said.
“But I don’t know, I don’t care about their opinion.
“If people like me, they do. If they don’t, that’s up to them.”
CLAWS OUT
Last week’s 64-0 hiding in Melbourne would have been triggering for many long-suffering Tigers fans, but one sentence from May belies any mental frailties in 2025.
“We actually think we can win the comp,” May said.
“And that’s what we are going to try and do this year.”
Although some would think May’s brash statement could be seen as a sense of false confidence, the Samoan international was quick to double down.
“100 per cent,” he said.
“If you don’t believe it, then what’s the point of playing each week?”
THE TEMUNATOR
His teammates have referred to him as the Temunator, but everything about May’s opening 10 rounds of footy has been nothing short of top shelf.
Some questioned May’s ability after his shock exit from the Sydney Roosters, a club who rarely lets quality players walk away easily from Bondi.
But May has instead found another level in Concord.
He averages more minutes than any other front-rower in the league, and is entered this weekend second on Dally M points.
“I feel like I have always had it,” he said.
“But (I’ve) never really had the opportunity to express myself. The coaching staff and the boys really let me express myself on the field and really play the way I wanna play.”
May points out that he isn’t alone and producing career-best form, promising last week’s shock display against the Storm was more an anomaly than history repeating.
“On the weekend, when we got pumped, we knew the standards weren’t up to scratch,” May said.
“I just feel like we are chasing something more than what they were chasing in previous years.”
REPAYING BENJI
The coaching of Benji Marshall has come under scrutiny ever since taking the role on last year, but particularly in the aftermath of the Lachlan Galvin saga.
But while the young five-eighth has his qualms over Marshall’s abilities, there is no concerns from their pack leader.
A big reason for May’s move to the Tigers, Marshall has connected with his No.8 unlike any coach he has ever played under.
“I feel like I can just talk to him as a person, there is no awkwardness, no fakeness,” May said. “Even when I do have a bad game, he just tells me.
“I want to repay him, and all he’s done for me.”
MAY REUNION
When May was 18-year-old, he quit rugby league and the only thing that brought him back was his younger brother Taylan.
Playing three years up, Taylan was a C-grade star for the Minchinbury Jets and begged for his older brother to play one more year with him.
Standing at the field which saw him progress from C-grade to a train-and-trial deal with Penrith, Terrell only had one wish on his mind.
“We have always had this dream to play with each other, hopefully it happens one day, and hopefully it happens at the Tigers,” Terrell said.
“Everyone knows what kind of player he is, everyone knows what he can bring to a team.”
And as hard it would be to improve on an already impressive start to the season, May is adamant he could find another gear if Taylan laced up alongside him.
“For me personally it would make me want to play even harder,” he said.
“Even though I try to play my hardest each week, just the motivation to bring my younger brother over is unbeatable.”
ORIGIN READ
Some view May as an Origin lock for Origin I, others deem him not ready.
But when asked what he wanted Blues selectors to know ahead of the team’s announcement, it was two words which will send chills down almost all Queenslanders backs: “I’m ready.”
Hearing for the last month that he is unable to play off the bench, and can only play big minutes, May had a quick response for all his doubters.
“All the talk is kind of weird because I actually won impact player of the year last year so I have been used to coming off the bench,” he said.
“So if they want to pick me there or pick me to start, I’ll do the job.”
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