MELBOURNE, Australia — Where are the Los Angeles Rams?That’s been the big question this week from locals around town, as would-be NFL fans get ready for the first game in Australia. The San Francisco 49ers arrived here Friday morning and have made an appearance at an Australian Football League game, held a clinic for Special Olympics athletes and even had a workshop for fans to learn key phrases for cheers at Thursday’s game. It will be Friday in Australia when it’s played.It’s hard to get around town without seeing a 49ers billboard or jersey.
Sun came out for a walk around Melbourne. No one has heard of the Rams. #49ers pic.twitter.com/cQoc10RWXg
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 6, 2026Niners coach Kyle Shanahan, for other reasons, was surprised by the city of Melbourne.“I don’t see kangaroos and crocodiles everywhere,” Shanahan said before Monday’s practice at AAMI Park. “I was expecting to see that. It looks like a very normal, cool city.”The Rams will have to take his word for it, as they don’t arrive until Thursday. The home team — an ironic twist — has the opposite travel strategy as the 49ers: They are attempting to play in the game without changing their body clocks, and the 49ers are building in a week to shake off whatever jet lag players might have.
