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San Francisco legend's rallying call to Aussie NFL fans
Shayne Hope, AAP • September 10th, 2026 5:54 pm
NFL and San Francisco legend Jerry Rice wants Aussie fans to get behind the 49ers at the MCG | Photo: James Ross/AAP
NFL legend Jerry Rice has called on Australian fans to join the San Francisco 49ers bandwagon, taunting the rival Los Angeles Rams over their planned Melbourne hit-and-run mission.
The 49ers have spent a full week Down Under, active around the city in preparation for Friday's historic MCG clash.
But the Rams, who arrived on Thursday and will keep their body clocks on California time, are the designated 'home' team.
"That threw me off," three-time 49ers Super Bowl champion Rice said.
"The Rams are the 'home' team ... how are you the 'home' team?
"We got here early, we got here first. We've been out in the community doing things.
"So I can't wait for the Niners to be the home team, and maybe that might happen next year."
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The Rams also arrived in London about 24 before a game last October, when they recorded a comfortable win over Jacksonville, and are adamant the plan will serve them well again.
"I'm hoping that they're just completely exhausted," Rice said.
"They decided to wait to the last second to come here, but I'm sure they're going to be ready to play."
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan caused a stir in March when he said there was "no pro" and "not much benefit" to his franchise travelling around the globe for their season opener.
Shanahan, who this week softened his stance, also previously lamented the fixture would otherwise have involved a much shorter trip to LA, in front of what is usually a pro-49ers crowd.
But Rice expects there to be a strong red-and-gold contingent in the sold-out crowd of about 100,000 fans in Melbourne, urging them to support "the greatest franchise ever" and tipping a 49ers victory.
"Both these teams are here to win, but I have to go with my San Francisco 49ers," Rice said.
"They were able to get acclimated and they've been out in the community and doing a lot of things with kids and showing up in different places.
"And when you look at the San Francisco 49ers, the fans are going to follow them, so I'm expecting that stadium to be the majority of Niners fans."
Rice urged the 49ers, led by quarterback Brock Purdy and star running back Christian McCaffrey, to feed off the crowd's energy.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for you to be able to showcase American football and give the fans what they want and bring them to their feet," Rice said.
"That was something that I always wanted to do."
Rice has been blown away by the level of support for the NFL in Melbourne ahead of what is one of a record nine regular-season fixtures being played in international markets this season.
NFL fans line up for the NFL fan zone outside of Melbourne Park on Thursday | Photo: James Ross/AAP
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed interest in having every team play once in a foreign market each season, for a total of 16.
"It's growing and it's just going to get bigger," Rice said.
"You look at all the guaranteed contracts and the money that these guys are making ... third-string players now are making the big bucks.
"That's because the game's growing and it's going international."
