Penrith Panthers suffer huge injury blow to Taylan May

Penrith Panthers have confirmed that star winger Taylan May will miss the entire 2023 NRL season after suffering an ACL injury in the World Club Challenge.

The Samoa international sustained the ACL injury following a tackle during their 13-12 defeat to St Helens in the World Club Challenge on Saturday.

Scans have revealed that May will require surgery on the injury, ruling him out for the full season.

It comes as a huge blow to May, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2022. He scored 16 tries in 21 appearances as Penrith claimed their second successive NRL Premiership.

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More on Taylan May

The 21-year-old was born and raised in Australia and is of Samoan heritage. He is the younger brother of Catalans Dragons half-back Tyrone May and Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May.

May played his junior rugby league for the Minchinbury Jets before progressing through the ranks at Penrith.

In Round 21 of the 2021 NRL season, May made his debut for the Panthers against Sydney Roosters.

In Round Three of the 2022 NRL campaign, May scored a hat-trick in their 38-20 win over Newcastle Knights.

May played most of the 2022 season, but was forced to miss their Grand Final win over Parramatta due to injury.

The speedster made his international debut for Samoa last year, going on to win five caps in 2022. He played in their 30-10 defeat to Australia in the World Cup final at Old Trafford, which involved eight Penrith players.

Penrith are targeting their third NRL title in a row in 2023, but they’ll have to do it without their star winger, who will watch on from the sidelines.

Ivan Cleary’s side get their NRL campaign underway at home against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday, March 3.

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