All Blacks winger Cory Jane still regrets his decision to nip out for a meal after taking sleeping pills during New Zealand’s 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Jane remembers nothing of his night out with teammate Israel Dagg just 72 hours before New Zealand’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

The pair were disciplined after they were seen in what was reported as a “boozy” night out at an Auckland bar.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew confirmed last week that the pair had used sleeping pills before the incident.

Jane told reporters on Monday that he had no recollection of the incident. He and Dagg had taken two sleeping pills after a massage with the intention of going back to their room to sleep.

“We had a big training the next day so we just happened to go out quickly to get something to eat, they kicked in and we were on auto pilot,” he said.

“I woke up the next morning thinking I’d had the best sleep ever, and then found out that we’d gone out.”

Prescription sleeping pills are in the spotlight because of growing concern in rugby league about their use in combination with energy drinks.

The “recovery practices” are under scrutiny in an NZ Rugby League review into the Kiwis’ unsuccessful defence of the Rugby League World Cup late last year.

Jane said it was a shock to realise he had no recollection of anything he had done that night.

“I woke up and thought I’d had a brilliant sleep, so that’s scary and I’ve learnt my lesson.

“There was no mixing of energy drinks, there was no thought of going out to the pub and drinking and partying.”

Although there had been rumours around rugby league players taking sleeping pills and energy drinks, Jane said he had no idea whether they were correct.

“I wouldn’t have a clue. I know that two and a half years ago I did it and I regret it.”