Taylan May confession spells bad news for Panthers amid Jarome Luai saga
The Panthers junior says he wants to play wherever his brothers are.
Taylan May has declared that at the end of his current NRL deal with the Panthers, which expires next year, he could see himself reunited with his brothers. His brother and former Panther Tyrone May was linked with a move to the Bulldogs but has instead penned a two-year deal with Hull KR in the Super League, while Terrell May comes off contract at the end of the season with the Roosters.
The outside back's desire to play with his brothers spells more trouble for the Panthers who are struggling to keep a host of stars due to their salary cap restraints. The 22-year-old is currently preparing to make his NRL return after missing the 2023 season following a brutal ACL injury in the Panthers World Club Challenge loss to St Helens.
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May has been linked to the Bulldogs, which is the destination touted for a possible family reunion and is the club former Panther Stephen Crichton joined in the off-season. The Dogs are also in talks with Jarome Luai who is testing his value on the open market.
While May says he isn't pushing for a move away from the foot of the mountain, his priority is to play with his family. "I don’t know what's happening with the contract because I leave that with my manager," May told Fox Sports Australia before training on Monday.
"Whatever happens, happens. I don’t mind (what happens). If I could then I’d probably (like to stay) but then again, I want to play with my brothers … all of them if I could. That’s definitely a goal for me. We’ve definitely spoken about it, and whatever that looks like for us is something that I don’t know what it looks like."
All three May brothers have yet to play together in the NRL or at international level for Samoa. They have all represented the national side but as a result of injuries have never played in the same team.
"Every time I wanted us to play together, (there have been setbacks) like when Tyrone did his hip at the World Cup," May said. "I was keen to play with Terrell that time but he didn’t make it, and now he did make it but Tyrone was in England and I’m injured. It’s a goal for us to play together, but I don’t know what that looks like."
Bulldogs only want Jarome Luai if he seeks a move away from the Panthers
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo says he will not sign Luai unless he indicates he wants to leave the Panthers. Ciraldo insists he will not "poach" any Panthers player unless they indicate they want to leave. The Bulldogs coach worked with Luai during his time as an assistant with the Panthers and Ciraldo says they have not yet put an offer to the triple premiership winner but are interested in his services.
Luai met with Canterbury boss Phil Gould last month and may be tempted to join former Panthers teammates Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton at Belmore. The Panthers have stated that they are unable to offer any more money to their five-eighth due to restricted salary cap.
Another suitor for Luai's signature is the Wests Tigers who have reportedly offered him a $4.5 million deal, which equates to around $250,000 per season more than he could earn at the Panthers. Penrith increased their offer to Luai from $800,000 to $850,000 per year and have expressed their desire to keep their star playmaker but insist they will not blow their budget on a single player.
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