Terrell May stood in the Suncorp Stadium sheds late on Saturday night well aware he could be back there in just over two weeks wearing a NSW jumper for the State of Origin opener.
The Wests Tigers front-rower is desperate to represent his beloved Blues and will continue his sales pitch to NSW coach Laurie Daley when he goes up against Melbourne – and the man he replaced up front at the Tigers, Stefano Utoikamanu – on Sunday.
Utoikamanu was not charged by the match review committee for his stomp on Canberra’s Tom Starling on Sunday evening, and so has the chance keep his own Origin aspirations alive against his former Tigers teammates as well as May, his Samoan roommate during the 2023 Pacific Championships.
May revealed last month his father, Jay, told him he would cry in front of him for the first time in his life if his son was picked for NSW. He also spoke about his dislike of Queensland, and recalled dishing out some old-fashioned schoolyard justice to Maroons supporters.
“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,” May said at the time.
The two days spent north of the border at Magic Round rammed home to May just how much he would relish breaking Queensland hearts in the interstate series.
Will Terrell May be back at Suncorp Stadium in just over two weeks for Origin I?Credit: Getty Images
May, who sits second on the Dally M leaderboard behind Cronulla’s Will Kennedy, must force his way past Brisbane’s Payne Haas, Warrior Mitch Barnett and Roosters firebrand Spencer Leniu to earn a Blues berth.
“Everything I bring to the NRL I would bring to Origin and then some,” May told this masthead. “Origin is a big rivalry. If you are in Sydney and went for Queensland, it was a big no-no. I just want to go out there and experience it.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone. I know there’s been heaps of talk. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll keep doing my best here. I’ll be staying in the present.”
Utoikamanu quit the Tigers to further his career under Craig Bellamy in Melbourne. Based on form, Benji Marshall’s side came out ahead with his replacement May.
When asked about Utoikamanu, May said: “I don’t watch footy, so I don’t know how he’s going. I know he’s a good player. He’s played Origin before, he was here [at the Tigers] in the past, so he’ll have that extra motivation next week. It will be a good battle. We’ll see if we’re up for it.
“I was actually his roomie with Samoa. He’s a good dude. He’s a chilled dude – he’s a gentle giant, but when he steps on the field, he’s a different beast. Hopefully, we can contain him.”
Utoikamanu, who admitted he had let his teammates down when binned against the Raiders in extra time – the penalty allowed the Raiders to march downfield and kick the winning points – said he was glad his former side had turned things around after years of misery.
“I was pretty close with [Tigers prop] Fonua Pole,” Utoikamanu said. “He’s been killing it this year. I’m happy for him, and happy for the boys I knew there because it was a tough couple of years – it’s good to see them doing well now.
As for the challenge of stopping May, Utoikamanu, who played one game for NSW in 2023, said: “He’s been killing it. He’s been one of the best props in the comp.
“The motor and the work he gets through is second to none. I was his roomie in Samoan camp in 2023. It’s good to see him go there and take the pack under his wing.”
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