Wests Tigers fans were sent into a brief panic on Friday after brothers Taylan May and Terrell May appeared to announce a shock move to Papua New Guinea before revealing it was all an elaborate prank.
The pair took to their Mayday podcast channel and claimed an ‘opportunity had come about’ to link up with older brother Tyrone in PNG when the competition’s newest franchise enters the NRL in 2028.
The post, titled ‘May brothers announce emotional exit! set to leave club’, immediately sparked confusion and concern among supporters of the Wests Tigers, many unsure whether the announcement was genuine.
‘This is fake right,’ one fan wrote.
‘I don’t know if I should believe this,’ another added, as speculation quickly spread online.
The timing of the post raised eyebrows given the growing noise around the incoming PNG Chiefs, who have already shaken up the player market with the high-profile signing of Jarome Luai.
Brothers Tyrell and Taylan May pranked Wests Tigers fans by pretending to sign with PNG
It comes after Tigers star Jarome Luai’s bombshell decision to join the new club in 2028
Luai’s decision to join the PNG franchise from 2028 has sent shockwaves through the game, with the Chiefs offering tax-free salaries that critics say could significantly increase player earnings compared to traditional NRL deals.
Former Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson labelled the advantage ‘a complete and utter rort’, claiming it was effectively ‘cheating the salary cap by 48 per cent’, while Phil Gould warned the financial incentives could ‘virtually double’ what players earn in Australia.
PNG officials have strongly rejected those claims, with general manager Michael Chammas insisting the model is backed by both governments and will not be changing, while arguing the long-term success of a PNG team would benefit the entire game.
The signing of Luai, a four-time premiership winner, is already expected to attract further talent, with players including Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o among those off-contract in coming seasons and linked to the new franchise.
But less than 10 minutes after the initial upload, the May brothers flipped the script.
In a follow-up video styled as a tongue-in-cheek press conference, Taylan and Terrell confirmed they were not leaving at all and instead announced both had signed long-term extensions to remain at the Tigers until the end of the 2030 season.
At the same time, the club officially confirmed the news, putting an end to the brief frenzy and locking in two key pieces of their squad for the foreseeable future.
‘Family is so important to us and it’s something that drew me to the club in the first place,’ Terrell said.
Tyrell May has established himself as a leading prop in the NRL at the Tigers and is banging on the door for State of Origin selection
Taylan May turned around off-field incidents to re-establish himself as an NRL force at the Tigers
‘I can’t speak highly enough of Benji and the staff for the support they give us to be ourselves on and off the field.’
Taylan echoed his brother’s sentiment, reflecting on his return to the NRL and the opportunity to play alongside family.
‘I was grateful for the opportunity Benji and the club gave to me last year,’ he said.
‘Giving me a chance to come back to the NRL and play with my brother has been a dream for us.
‘We both love it here and I love all the boys, we’ve got a great culture. We’re playing our footy and enjoying the process of getting better every day.’
The original prank video was swiftly deleted, but not before it had done its job, briefly convincing a portion of the fanbase that the Tigers were about to lose both brothers in one hit.
Instead, the club has secured two players who have played key roles in their 2026 campaign.
Terrell has been a standout in the forward pack, averaging 161 run metres per game and providing consistent impact through the middle, while Taylan has impressed out wide with four tries, three try assists and six line breaks.
Their decision to stay comes at a time when the Tigers are pushing for a rare finals appearance and attempting to build stability under coach Benji Marshall, with the club preparing to face the Cronulla Sharks this weekend.
