France centre Aurelien Rougerie was involved in a bizarre exchange with journalists at the team's press conference on Wednesday.
Rougerie eventually walked out of the media session ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand after clashing with reporters over their treatment of the France players.
Rougerie did little to endear himself to the press with his responses during the session, with the 31-year-old claiming he was tired of the 'bland' questioning.
The Clermont captain, though, went on the offensive by insisting it was unfair that no one judged the critics while the French squad had to live in the intense glare of the media spotlight.
Rougerie then stormed out of the conference, leaving team-mate Lionel Nallet to face the rest of the questioning.
Nallet tried to defuse the situation by admitting some of the criticism has been warranted, although the lock insisted that it had helped forge a siege mentality within the squad.
"In a way it brings us closer together... we've been getting massacred for a while now," Nallet said.
"I don't see why I should be angry with the team. We're in the World Cup final. Obviously I would have liked to be 20 points up against Wales. There's been no recognition, that's for sure. If we win this match, there will be."