Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has rubbed salt into the All Blacks' wounds, saying that New Zealand are no longer favourites to take home a third straight World Cup in Japan next year.
With the All Blacks seemingly exposed on their recently concluded northern hemisphere tour by the likes of Ireland and England, the recently retired Warburton has said that the European sides have bridged the gap between New Zealand and the rest of the rugby world.
Writing in the Times, Warburton outlined that next year's World Cup may be as close as any played before.
Warburton's sentiments were echoed by this morning's World Rugby Awards, with the All Blacks missing out on major honours in favour of Ireland.
[Source:TVNZ]
