Targets.

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett has named two Irish players in particular that were ‘targeted’ during their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against Ireland last year.

Ireland came into the tournament as one of the favourites as the number one ranked team in the world and the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions.

They went undefeated in the pool stages, including a victory over eventual winners South Africa. However, they were ultimately defeated by the All Blacks, and once again crashed out at the quarter-final stages.

Barrett says two players in particular, Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony, were targeted for a stare-down during the pre-match Haka.

“Looking across at the opponent during the haka you get memories, flashbacks,” Barrett said on the All Blacks: In Their Own Words documentary.

“We had a point to prove.”

Asked who he targeted, Barrett replied:

“Johnny [Sexton], “Peter O’Mahony… typically guys with targets on their heads.”