Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay hopes his NFL team never has to play in Australia again after a dismal loss to 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 12,700 kilometres away from his hometown, saying he wants to wipe the game from his memory and move forward with the season.
“We’re not playing in Australia ever again, I hope,” he said.
“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 would not 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 team in Australia.
McVay’s side also made a last-ditch journey, touching down in Melbourne about 24 hours before the game, unlike the 49ers who had been there all week interacting with fans and taking in the local atmosphere.
By game time, Los Angeles did not 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.
“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.”
AAP/AP
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