The family of Toa Samoa winger Taylan May say this son of Laulii has always been fearless, even as a child and was often called 'macho man' in his younger days.

Taylan has lived in Australia all his life with his family and his relatives back in the village still remember him as the active kid that had a “heart of a lion”. 

His older cousin Paul Elu told the Samoa Observer how they would call May 'macho man' because he was very solid despite being the youngest of the boys. 

He pointed to the front yard of the family home in Laulii covered with rocks saying Taylan used to play rugby on those rocks. 

“I still remember when we went to Piula, his older brother Tyrone was too scared to jump into the water but Taylan just ran and jumped in and almost drowned,” said Paul. 

“I will always remember that, we had to jump in to get him out. He is the fearless one. We are very proud of him taking one for the team, for all the boys.” 

According to Paul his grandfather was closed with the brothers; Taylan, Terrell and Tyrone who are all professional rugby league players. 

Tyrone made his international debut for Samoa in 2018. 

Paul added the boys visited their mother’s family in Laulii for more than a month and during that time got to experience things like carrying coconuts from the mountains behind the village of Laulii. He said Tyrone and Tyrelle cried when carrying coconuts from the mountain but Taylan was the solid one despite being the youngest. 

Another relative of the Toa Samoa player is their uncle Papalii Tuivasa who was happy to share his stories about the May brothers and their sporting career. 

Having resided in Australia, Papalii spoke about the boys’ grandfather Namulauulu and how he was very supportive of their early years in football. 

Papalii is the father of Samoan UFC fighter, Tai Tuivasa who is ranked 4^th in UFC heavyweight rankings. 

He remembered his uncle always made time to take his grandsons, to their football games. 

“Even if there was a church commitment the elderly man had to attend to, he will miss it to take the boys to their games,” said Papalii about the late Namulauulu. 

“He has passed away but I wish he was around to see his grandchildren succeed and watch them play professionally representing their country. 

“He would have been very proud of them.”

Papalii described Tylan as someone with a 'heart of a lion' and said he was also a boxer. 

He said the 21-year-old is a good fighter and has a killer punch. 

According to Tuivasa Moefaauo Poni Faletoia, the May brothers might not know but they are also related to Kelma Tuilagi who also plays for Toa Samoa. 

Tuiavasa pointed out there are a lot of sons of Laulii playing for Toa Samoa and it gives them a sense of pride that the players continue to represent the village and country internationally. 

The village of Laulii will host a march within the village on Saturday morning to show their support for Toa Samoa and to acknowledge their sons in the team.