“I think it knocked me back a bit.
“It was a missed opportunity going down to New Zealand and getting so close.
“That is my job as a kicker – to put the points over for the lads – and I didn’t do my job to the levels I wanted to.
“But I am glad I was given the nod to kick again the week after and I felt I kicked a lot better in that game.
“I learned a lot about myself, about resilience and dealing with different crowds.
“They were shouting and booing and it was a new experience for me – hopefully it will put me in a better position if I get another opportunity to tour there again.”
Harlequins finished sixth for a second consecutive season in their last campaign, shipping an average of almost 29 points a game, and Smith says the recruitment of Australian defence coach Jason Gilmore will be key to making the play-offs.
“I have only worked with him in the last week and a half, but the level of detail has been a level up from any defence coach I have had at Quins,” said Smith.
“If we can improve that 10-15%, I think we will be there or thereabouts.”