Smith, the All Blacks' first-choice halfback last year, his first with the national team, is struggling. That was especially noticeable in his performance in the Highlanders' defeat to the Blues at Eden Park last weekend.
Only two months out from the All Blacks' first test of the year against France, 24-year-old Smith appears to be taking on too much as he attempts to organise his team to their first win of the season.
Most evident is the way he allows the ball to be turned over at the breakdown because he is so busy barking orders to those outside him. Previously his strength has been his quick distribution.
"Clearly he's getting frustrated, you can see that in his game, and he's just got to let those frustrations go and get on with it," said Hansen.
"He's a young player who had success last year and he's come back and he's trying to be the ultimate professional and he's probably trying too hard. He's looking to do everything rather than concentrating on the things that he does well.
"At the moment they're not having much luck down there [at the Highlanders] so I guess for him he needs to go back to what he does really, really well and not to worry too much about doing everything else. It's not uncommon for us to see."
With no wins from six matches this season, and with the table-topping Brumbies visiting Dunedin on Friday, things are not looking good for Jamie Joseph's men and Smith isn't the only struggling All Black at the southern franchise.
Ma'a Nonu is having another Super Rugby season to forget, although he has been struggling with injury and is also clearly frustrated as evidenced by his shoulder charge on Piri Weepu at Eden Park.
Tony Woodcock and Andrew Hore are two veteran front-rowers conspicuous by their lack of impact this season, although, they too, have had injury problems.
Hansen, though, remains relatively relaxed about the form of his top players. He also said he was "excited" about the talent coming through, in particular in the midfield and on the wings.
Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea didn't take long to catch his eye either during his recent impressive debut against the Waratahs in Wellington. Savea, 19, is a timely addition to the loose form equation after the exits of Adam Thomson to Japan and Richie McCaw for a sabbatical.
"A lot of All Blacks take a bit of time to warm into the Super 15," Hansen said. "They don't finish until late the previous year and they're about six to eight weeks behind the people who aren't All Blacks.
"They don't get a decent pre-season, that's one of the issues we have with our system. As a consequence invariably we have a few slow starters."
Asked if that made the sparkling form of Highlanders wing Hosea Gear and fullback Ben Smith all the more remarkable, Hansen said: "What it does mean is that they're in great shape physically and mentally and they're getting into it. Their bodies may not have taken the battering that Ma'a's did last year."
The All Blacks will have two training camps in Mt Maunganui next month ahead of the first test against France at Eden Park on June 8.
