Terrell May has never seen his dad cry. But one of the game’s in-form front-rowers says his father, Jay, has admitted he will shed a tear if his boy gets selected for the NSW State of Origin team.
While Wests Tigers teammate Jahream Bula stressed he had no interest in representing Queensland – he identifies as a New South Welshman, despite being ineligible for the Blues – May can add to his credentials by producing a big game against Brisbane Origin stars Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas at a heaving and hostile Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
May’s consistency has caught the eye of Blues coach Laurie Daley, who can only hope the likes of Haas, Sydney Roosters firebrand Spencer Leniu, Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu, Warriors prop Mitch Barnett and Penrith’s Lindsay Smith all stay fit and remain in line for selection.
May, 25, who grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs, said he never watched much rugby league growing up, but always made a point of tuning in to Origin.
“I love the Origin arena and heard so many stories about the level of [intensity] – I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to play,” May said on Thursday.
“One of my biggest goals and dreams is to put on a Blues jersey.
Terrell May charges into the Dolphins defence in round three. His stellar start at Wests Tigers has caught the eye of Blues coach Laurie Daley.Credit: Getty Images
“My dad said if I ever did, he’d cry for the first time in front of me. It would be good to see that. Hopefully, he is [crying]. If not, I’ll be crying.
“We used to have school fights with the boys who went for Queensland but were born here [NSW]. I don’t care if you’re born in Queensland and go for Queensland, but if you’re born here and go for Queensland, you’re no good in my book.”
There is every chance if Haas and May do not team up for the Blues, they will at the end of the year with Samoa. Samoa coach Ben Gardiner revealed in October Haas would have been on the plane to England for their Test tour had he not been injured.
Jahream Bula says he has no interest in playing for the Maroons.Credit: Getty Images
When asked if he admired Haas, May said: “The only person I admire is God, bro. I won’t admire another player. I do watch him play here and there. He’s been the best prop for a couple of years. I just need to do my thing and let him do his thing.”
Tigers fullback Bula would love to see May unleashed against the Queenslanders, and told this masthead he could never represent the Sunshine State.
The gifted fullback was born in New Zealand but arrived on the Gold Coast before he was 13, which makes him eligible for the Maroons.
“But I don’t claim to be one,” he said. “I’m eligible, but I don’t want to play for Queensland. My family are Koori and from NSW – they’re from around the Coffs Harbour and Macksville areas – and I’ve always gone for NSW.”
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