Warriors coach Stephen Kearney not surprised by five week ban for Soliola

Billy Slater of the Storm is taken from the field after a tackle by Iosia Soliola of the Raiders looks on. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is not surprised Canberra forward Sia Soliola was suspended for his ugly hit on Melbourne's Billy Slater but is unsure whether it will prompt a crackdown from NRL referees.

Soliola was handed a five-match ban from the NRL judiciary on Tuesday for his late and dangerous high shot that KO'ed the Storm fullback in Saturday night's match in Canberra.

Kearney suggested the former Kiwis international would be pleased he wasn't facing a longer stint on the sidelines but doesn't think late tackles are a major issue in the game.

"I think it's pretty self-explanatory to be fair," Kearney said of Soliola's suspension.

"It's looked after itself. I don't think he'll be too disappointed with the charge and also the penalty he's been given.

"That's probably all that needs to be said about it. I don't want to comment on it. It's been dealt with and I'm sure the sooner we put a full-stop behind that one the better."

Referee Matt Cecchin escaped sanction for failing to send Soliola from the field and will take charge in Friday's clash between the Warriors and Cronulla at Mt Smart Stadium.

Cecchin was let off the hook as he was fulfilling his duties by following the ball as play moved across field. However, senior NRL bunker video review official Bernard Sutton and on-field assistant referee Chris Butler have both been demoted for failing to pick up on the dangerous hit.

Kearney remained coy when asked if he expected Cecchin to pay greater scrutiny to any hint of late contact this week, but doubted whether the Slater incident was indicative of a wider and worrying trend across the NRL.

"He's one of the top referees in the game so I'm sure Matt will do what Matt does and that's his job," he said.

"How many tackles have you seen like that? I haven't seen anyone get banned for six weeks.

"They're an important part of our game, the ball-players, there's no doubt about that, but I haven't seen a tackle like that for a long time.

"It is something that will be addressed."

Cronulla halfback and former Warriors playmaker Chad Townsend felt Soliola's suspension was fair and admitted he was surprised he was allowed to remain on the park.

"I was actually watching it and my first thoughts immediately were 'send-off'," said Townsend.

"It was pretty dangerous. And obviously Slater does slip a little but Soliola makes clear contact with the side of his head.

"As a ball-player, I wouldn't want that happening to me, so all in all you'd have to say the suspension for Soliola for five weeks was probably warranted."

Townsend, who is preparing for his first game at Mt Smart since leaving the Warriors at the end of 2015, said playmakers expect to come in for some extra attention, but believes sterner action is needed for illegal tackles.

"Forwards these days are coached to put pressure on playmakers," he said. "When it's done legally its fine, but when it's late and high that's something that needs to be looked at.

"I can't remember the last send-off that happened in the game and if they even send-off players any more. I'd like to see what would warrant a send-off if that didn't."