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Cape Town - Oyonnax wing Silvere Tian hit out at Montpellier coach Jake White after his side’s 20-13 win in the French Top 14 at the weekend.
White had started on a high when Montpellier beat French and European champions Toulon in his first match in charge the previous week.
But his side came unstuck against a plucky Oyonnax this past weekend, and are now eighth on the Top 14 log standings with eight wins and eight losses from 16 games.
Just a few days into his stint in France, White was forced to issue an official apology after saying he was happy to play against heavyweights Toulon because "playing in Montauban, in a field in front of five people and a dog... does not interest me."
Oyonnax are also a less glamorous club and this prompted Tian to hit out at the former Springbok coach after their victory, claiming White and Montpellier had underestimated them.
"They have a manager in Jake White, who was being a 'smart arse' and doesn't know too much about French rugby. Already he's criticised Montauban, but he doesn't know what it is,” Tian told Rugbyrama.
"He thinks Oyonnax is a ProD2 team, so it was a pleasure to show him that the 'ProD2 team' really handed out a beating to his team of stars. We showed him that he must be humble. I think that will serve as a lesson. Winning against Toulon doesn't mean they are the best, if you're a world champion it doesn't matter once you're on the field!"
Clermont Auvergne hold a narrow lead atop the standings, leading Stade Francais on points difference with both teams on 50 points, having won 11 of 16 matches.
Toulon are third and Racing Metro fourth.
Round 16 Top 14 results:
Toulon 32 Racing Metro 23
Bayonne 23 Lyon 22
Bordeaux Begles 34 Grenoble 16
Oyonnax 20 Montpellier 13
Toulouse 29 La Rochelle 26
Clermont 44 Brive 20
Stade Français 49 Castres 13
