NRL confirms Soliola should have been sent off

NRL referees boss Tony Archer has confirmed the referees should have sent Canberra's Sia Soliola from the field for his hit on Storm fullback Billy Slater.

Soliola collected Slater's head in an off-the-ball hit early in the second half of their match on Saturday night.

Slater was stretchered off and ruled out for the remainder of the game, but Soliola was not sent off for the incident.

"It's important to note that Sia Soliola is on report and the matter will be addressed by the Match Review Committee," Archer said in a statement released late on Saturday night.

"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 instances of serious foul play."

WATCH: Stuart unloads on NRL in massive blow-up

BIG BLOW: Smith unsure of injury timeline

Soliola later provided a try assist for the Raiders as they cut Melbourne's margin with 20 minutes remaining.

The Storm held on for a 20-14 win and Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was disappointed with the referees.

"He's talking, but he's not feeling too good, so we'll just have to see how it goes throughout the week," Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

"For him to get knocked out like that, it's pretty severe. If it's not a sending-off, then I don't know what is a sending-off."