NRL confirms Soliola should have been sent off

The NRL has released a statement confirming that Sia Soliola should have been sent off for his late hit on Billy Slater.

Soliola was placed on report for a late high hit on Storm fullback Billy Slater that left him unconscious.

The statement from referee boss Tony Archer concedes the incident was enough to warrant a send off and that Soliola should have been sent from the field.

Read the statement below:

Statement by General Manager Officiating Tony Archer

Re tackle by Sia Soliola on Billy Slater

"It's important to note that Sia Soliola is on report and the matter will be addressed by the Match Review Committee."

"But based on a review of the tackle, the incident did meet the indicators of a send off and the player should have been sent from the field."

"The match officials always have the option of a send off and I expect them to use it in the instances of serious foul play."

Statement from NRL General Manager Officiating Tony Archer re Sia Soliola tackle on Billy Slater in #NRLRaidersStorm pic.twitter.com/IbM8a4ox0L

— NRL Media (@NRLMedia) July 22, 2017