Shots fired.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has had a pop at Johnny Sexton following his comment’s about Wayne Barnes who will referee this weekend’s game with New Zealand and Ireland.

Sexton said Ireland were wary of Barnes this weekend because of issues they’ve had with his refereeing in the past. The outhalf made is clear that Ireland must be disciplined in order to stay on the Englishman’s good side.

“We pride ourselves on our discipline. We have come on the wrong side of Wayne Barnes in the past so it is something we are going to have to look at even more so this week.” Sexton said.

But All Blacks assistant Foster says Barnes is a “great ref” and had a dig at Sexton while he was at it, stating the outhalf tends to give referees “a bit of advice on the park too”

“I’m not sure why he says that, Barnsey is a great ref,” Foster told the Irish Independent

“Johnny seems to give them (referees) a bit of advice on the park too so I’m sure he will carry on doing that.”

Sexton was also targeted by England head coach Eddie Jones last week following Owen Farrell’s controversial hit on Andre Esterhuizen.

“If he was Johnny Sexton, then we’d be able to complain about him, but because he’s Owen Farrell he’s allowed to be hit late,” Jones said.

The Ireland playmaker was asked about that this week and admitted he was “baffled” by the comments.

“I don’t know how I was mentioned at an England New Zealand press conference. That still baffles me. I didn’t think we were playing England until February.” Sexton said