New Zealand centre Steve Matai is set to miss the Kiwis' crunch Four Nations clash with England on Saturday after being diagnosed with internal bleeding in his left eye.

The Manly player reeled out of a tackle on substitute Andrew Bentley in the 30th minute of Saturday's 62-12 win over France in Toulouse and stumbled several times as he was helped from the field by a trainer.

He was taken to hospital for tests on a possible fractured eye socket and will be examined again when the squad arrive back in England later on Sunday.

Matai has been told to rest for five days but the Kiwis are hopeful he will be available for the November 14 final if they qualify by beating England at Huddersfield.

Parramatta's centre or full-back Krisnan Inu is a likely replacement after being left out of the first two matches.

Leeds-bound forward Greg Eastwood came through his return from a hamstring injury with no problems and New Zealand are confident back-rower Bronson Harrison will recover from a calf problem in time to face England.

The Kiwis led only 16-12 after 42 minutes but cut loose to run in eight second-half tries and secure their first win of the tournament.

Winger Sam Perrett scored a hat-trick and others came from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (2), Lance Hohaia (2), Junior Sau, Frank Nuuausala, Benji Marshall and Bryson Goodwin, who also kicked nine goals for a personal haul of 22 points.