A mystified Benji Marshall is at a loss to explain Terrell May's State of Origin omission, suggesting if the prop had a different name he would be gaining more attention as a NSW contender.
As May prepares to lead a depleted pack against Penrith on Sunday, Tigers coach Marshall launched a staunch defence of the Samoan international's character.
May left the Sydney Roosters for the Tigers in November in circumstances which look all the more questionable given the prop's red-hot form for Marshall's men.
The 26-year-old, who averages 177m per game, leads the NRL in offloads and has regularly clocked up 80-minute performances for the Tigers this season, was left out of the Blues squad for game one.
Mitch Barnett's knee injury has opened the door for May to receive a call-up to the Blues squad for game two in Perth on June 18, an option Marshall has implored NSW coach Laurie Daley to take.
"Given Terrell's form early in the season, I think he's been one of the best front-rowers in the game," Marshall told reporters on Saturday.
"I don't pick the (NSW) team, but he's been outstanding for what he's done for us and I'm punching him out for pretty big minutes.
"I hate the stuff that gets thrown around about his personality and his character, because what we see is a guy who brings leadership to our team."
Marshall described May as a "great performer with impact on and off the field".
"All the (negative) things that get said about him ... it's not true," he said.
"I feel sorry for him because he's got a bit of a bad rap, but he's a really good bloke.
"What more can he do? Maybe if his name wasn't Terrell May he would make it."
May will be tasked with carrying the Tigers' pack against the Panthers as they aim to avoid falling to a fourth-straight NRL defeat.
Marshall is without Alex Twal (concussion) and Fonua Pole (knee), leaving the Tigers light on in the middle.
The Tigers coach has named two utilities - Jack Bird and Latu Fainu - on his bench alongside two-game forward Kit Laulilii and NRL debutant Charlie Murray.
Marshall has dropped former Cronulla prop Royce Hunt to NSW Cup.
"Royce made some great impact for us at the start of the season," Marshall said.
"We just need to get some match fitness into him, and he's had limited minutes for us."
