Wests Tigers forward Terrell May has been surprisingly cut from the Samoan squad just 24 hours before their Pacific Championships opener against New Zealand.
The 26-year-old was expected to start from the bench in Sunday afternoon’s clash, but was unexpectedly left out of the final team list.
May’s withdrawal has seen Sydney Roosters hooker Benaiah Ioelu promoted to the bench, after initially being named as 18th man.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that May was dropped from the squad after suffering a hamstring strain late in the week of training, with the forward spotted returning to Sydney from New Zealand on Saturday.
MORE: Samoa star Taylan May sidelined for Pacific Championships due to injury
With the injury not considered serious, the star forward is expected to rejoin the Samoan squad next week as they prepare to face Tonga on Sunday.
The late withdrawal is another setback for Samoa, following the loss of May’s brother, Taylan May, who was ruled out of the tournament earlier in the week with a torn quad.
The Wests Tigers centre, who returned to the NRL in Round 20, suffered the injury in an unfortunate accident while playing with his children at home.
The injury prevented the 24-year-old centre from joining the squad in New Zealand, with the Daily Telegraph reporting that May is set to undergo a six-week recovery, aiming to return to the Tigers pre-season fit and ready.
Both brothers were considered key figures in Samoa’s Pacific Championships campaign, with Terrell coming off a strong NRL season for the Roosters and Taylan showing glimpses of his pre-injury form for the Tigers.