All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett follows the fortunes of a shot at goal.

Beauden Barrett's much-criticised goalkicking has been defended by an unexpected source with Irish star Johnny Sexton backing the All Black's boot ahead of their Dublin duel.

The All Blacks play Six Nations champions Ireland on November 18 (8am NZT), a week after they tackle England in London.

Sharpshooter Sexton is relishing another tangle with the All Blacks at home and is pumped for his battle with Barrett.

GETTY IMAGES Johnny Sexton's boot will be central to Ireland's chances of gaining another win over the All Blacks when they meet in Dublin.

"He's a nice guy, world player of the year the last two years in a row, he's the guy to catch," Sexton told The42.ie.

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Phil Walter Johnny Sexton arrives too late to prevent Beauden Barrett scoring a try during the All Blacks 2016 victory in Dublin.

Sexton seemed bemused by the flak Barrett cops for his goalkicking which appears to be the only chink in his armour.

"I think he gets it bad … even during that Lions tour he got slated for the second test when he kicked seven from 10 on a windy, wet night in Wellington," Sexton said.

"You know, the game against South Africa (also in Wellington), he only missed a few. But, like, it's one of the hardest stadiums in the world to kick in; the wind can play absolute havoc. I've had sessions there where I've barely got a kick.

GETTY IMAGES Beauden Barrett wrestles Johnny Sexton during the 2017 series between the All Blacks and British & Irish Lions.

"So I think he gets a bit of unfair criticism in his kicking, and if you actually look at his statistics or whatever you want to look at, he's a very good kicker and he's a world class player. To score four tries in a game [against Australia at Eden Park] is incredible, and he had one disallowed as well, so he had potential to score five."

Sexton revealed he vomited at halftime when he first played against the All Blacks in home and away tests in 2010.

"It was just an incredible pace to the game, just every collision was ferocious. Every collision was like the first collision of the game."

But he no longer operates in awe of the men in black, having been part of Ireland's historic first win over them in Chicago in 2016 and then helping the British & Irish Lions draw their series in New Zealand last year.

"I think our levels of fitness now, and our levels of preparation, have gone up a lot since then," he said.

But he felt there was a fresh challenge in front of Ireland who are coached by New Zealander Joe Schmidt.

"We've never beaten them in Ireland, so it would be pretty special to be on the first Irish team to beat them here. And I'm sure the crowd, everyone is looking for tickets and the thought of it so it's going to be a pretty special occasion, I think."

Sexton has played the All Blacks 11 times but revealed he had only managed to swap jerseys once. That came from Barrett after the Chicago game.

"I don't know him really that well, I spoke to him after we played in Chicago and that was the only time I've ever swapped jerseys with the All Blacks," he told The42.ie

"There were a few things where they refused to swap jerseys for different reasons … I'm not sure, they probably have people they need to give it to, there's probably different reasons they want to keep it, or whatever. That was the only one I have."