Steve Hansen has revealed his regret after leaving out an experienced All Black when New Zealand were knocked out of the 2019 World Cup semi-finals by Eddie Jones’ England.

Hansen made the admission in former New Zealand back Ben Smith’s book, Ben Smith: More Than A Game, published by the Otago Daily Times.

MORE: Former Bok fires shot at Proudfoot

Smith was overlooked for the majority of the 2019 World Cup as Hansen preferred Beauden Barrett at fullback in a dual playmaking role with flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. The first-choice wings were Crusaders duo Sevu Reece and George Bridge.

It was only in the pool stage matches against tournament minnows Canada and Namibia that Smith managed to get significant game time.

At the time, Hansen told the media he felt Smith had lost his self-confidence, but in the book the coach wrote that he regretted how he handled the situation.

“If I had my time again, I would have picked him,” Hansen said.

Smith wrote in his autobiography that he felt he should have been picked more often through the campaign.

“That was always going to be my last All Black campaign and I felt I still had some rugby in me,” Smith writes.

WALLABIES LEGEND: All Blacks the team to beat!

“It was frustrating because my family had come over to support me. They were really good but probably a bit sensitive to the fact they knew I was hurting with how some things played out.”

Smith added he was frustrated by Hansen going to media before speaking to him personally.

“I found it really hard that he put that out in the media. Steve hadn’t actually sat down with me and talked that through and that was an outlet he didn’t need to go to.”

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images