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.
"Six months ago, I would probably have put my house on New Zealand being World Cup winners. I wouldn't put that bet on now," Warburton said.
"After we had only southern-hemisphere semi-finalists in the last World Cup, the northern hemisphere teams have caught up. It is certainly the most competitive they have been going into a World Cup.
"New Zealand are first, but then Ireland are second, followed by Wales and England in third and fourth.
"It's going to be some World Cup next year in Japan."
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.
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