Video: Aaron Smith opens up on toilet incident, form and regrets

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith admits he should've taken time out from rugby to focus on family following an incident involving a woman in a Christchurch Airport toilet.

Speaking to media ahead of his 100th game for the Highlanders against the Rebels on Friday night the World Cup winner said he probably should have skipped the All Blacks end of year tour to focus on repairing the damage done to his family, partner and himself.

Smith was a shade of his usual self in November, struggling to find the form that had the 28-year-old regarded as the best halfback in the world for the past four years.

Rival TJ Perenara eventually earned the starting spot in the final Test of the year against France.

"It was a huge mistake by me, obviously," Smith said.

"Just the effects it had on me mentally - it really affected me and my performance.

"I probably should have put rugby on the backburner then and focused on myself and my family."

Smith believes the whole experience has left him in a better place, both on and off the field and he is extremely excited to be hitting form a month into Super Rugby.

"I've had heaps of help. I've done a lot of counselling and stuff and sought out the right people", he added.

"But also from incidents like that you learn who your real friends are. It puts everything in perspective. As I've said, a lot of positives have come from it for me. I'm feeling really good in my life and with my family and hoping I can turn a page on that."

The 58-Test veteran said his love for the game is right back where it should be and he is hoping to be able to contribute to a second Highlanders Super Rugby title in 2017.

"It got the point where rugby was over for the year and in the summer break - I remember thinking at Christmas that I was already excited to play."

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