TIM Sheens has declared "most men" would have retaliated the same way Billy Slater did after being hit in the back of the head - and the Australian coach is adamant the superstar fullback was the victim in his early morning fight outside a Manchester nightclub.

Sheens will today name Slater in his Australian team to take on the United States in Saturday's sudden-death World Cup quarter final in Wales.

And the coach said he never contemplated dropping Slater despite the fallout following the release of CCTV footage of Slater's dramatic self-defence.

Asked if Slater over-reacted with his retaliation, Sheens fired back: "I don't think so.

"I don't think any man sitting here would not react the same way. Please."

SHOULD BILLY SLATER HAVE RETALIATED AS HE DID? SHOULD HE BE PLAYING? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW

News_Image_File: Billy Slater the boxer at Melbourne training.

On-field violence was effectively banned by NRL boss Dave Smith during the season, the fallout of Paul Gallen's attack on Nate Myles in State of Origin.

Smith brought in a one punch and you're off edict - a move to protect the game's image. No official action has been taken in the Slater case, with officials in the UK leaping to his defence.

"He was assaulted and he threw one back," Sheens continued. "Billy defended himself. The police released him without anything happening from us.

"We were completely in the police's hands in that regard and they have said Billy can charge him.

"So from that point of view I don't know why we are continuing to talk about it."

Police have asked for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

But told again that many fans viewed the footage as an over-reaction, Sheens said: "What one punch? He got punched and he punched back. I don't think it is an over-reaction at all.

"If he had hit him two or three times and got him on the ground and jumped on him and did whatever you are talking about, that's an ­over-reaction.

"Come on. He reacted with the same thing he got. He got a punch in the head and he punched the bloke back."

The footage shows Slater being hit with an open-handed blow, he retaliates with a right-hand punch to the man's jaw, sending him careering into a nearby woman.

News_Rich_Media: Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater speaks publicly for the first time since he was attacked at a Manchester nightclub.

Asked if Slater had been reprimanded over the incident, Sheens said: "Billy and I had a discussion that he put himself in a position, although he did and he didn't.

"Again, he is out at the wrong time but I put no ­curfew on them.

"He went back to get his jacket. He didn't go back to cause a problem and he didn't start any problem."

Sheens said he would not impose a booze ban for the rest of the tournament although he said senior players had taken their own stance.

"I have spoken to the senior playing group and I think the playing group understand where we are at at the moment with the sudden-death series and I think we will see pretty much a self-imposed issue," he said.

"Billy and a few of them, there were a few of them out, it was probably unreasonable for them to be there at that time. They know it, he has already admitted that, Billy, and taken the blame for that.

"Billy has already suggested and said that he is disappointed he let everyone down given the circumstances but it could have been done at 12 o'clock or 10 o'clock at night.''