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Live sport on SN this weekendRams coach unveils true stance on Australia's NFL game
Sebastian Tan, AAP •  September 18th, 2026 1:39 pm
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay hopes his team will never have to come to Australia again | Photo: AP
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay hopes his side never have to play in Australia again after they suffered a dismal loss to their bitter rivals in Melbourne.
The coach had stuck to the script during his team's whirlwind tour Down Under, which culminated in a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, insisting the team was "excited" and "looking forward" to last Friday's clash.
But a week on, McVay revealed his true stance on the NFL deciding to host a game about 12,700km away from his hometown.
"We're not playing in Australia ever again, I hope," he said.
Sean McVay and his coaching team watch the second half of their match at the MCG | Photo: AP
"Not because it wasn't a great atmosphere. That will get taken out of context."
McVay's comments come after San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan implied he also wouldn't like to play in Australia again.
But the country will host more games in the future as the NFL has struck a multi-year deal with Victoria to play two matches with an option for a third.
It remains unclear whether the Rams will feature in the next edition, although the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles are likely to take the field, as they share marketing rights with the Los Angeles club in Australia.
McVay's side also made a last-ditch journey touching down in Melbourne about 24 hours before the match, unlike the 49ers who had been there all week interacting with fans and taking in the local atmosphere.
Winning San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is also not a fan of travelling Down Under | Photo: AP
By game time, Los Angeles didn't live up to their Super Bowl contender status at all, looking sluggish as they only scored one touchdown.
San Francisco were also the more popular team in front of the 100,021 spectators at the MCG, as the Rams were met with a mixed chorus of cheers and boos when they ran out.
Sydneysider Jordan Mailata, who plays for Philadelphia and was part of the 2025 Super Bowl-winning team, had some advice for the next club that plays Down Under.
Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata had valuable advice for NFL teams coming to Australia | Photo: AP
"I would have recommended going out early," the offensive lineman said earlier in the week.
"The flight is so long that I don't think 24 hours is enough to wash out that flight itself."
Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw of the Denver Broncos also advised against travelling so soon before the clash.
"Every time I've done that (fly to or from Australia), I've been wrecked for a couple of days, whether it be jet lag or the body just not feeling right," Crawshaw said.
"Jet lag is the least of their worries. Their joints are probably sore, their legs are swelling from being at altitude for 15 hours."
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