Coaches downplay travel timing as factor in 49ers' 27-7 win over Rams in Melbourne

San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the NFL's inaugural regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday. After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team's decision to arrive a week early was not a decisive factor, adding that preparation and performance were what mattered. > "Win or lose, I know everybody was going to make a big deal about that for either team," Shanahan told reporters. > "You never know how much that factors into it. You just try to do the best to prepare for 3½ hours. I liked how we prepared, but more importantly, I liked how we played." Rams coach Sean McVay echoed the view, rejecting the notion that the Rams' later arrival caused their loss. > "I don't believe that that's why we didn't play well enough," McVay said. "I really don't. ... I'll always make decisions that I think are best for the football team." The 49ers arrived in Melbourne on Sept. 4 and spent the week at the Park Hyatt Hotel, using on-site facilities for meetings, film review and recovery. Players also explored the city, visiting coffee shops and restaurants. Receiver Mike Evans said the early arrival helped the team acclimate, and tight end George Kittle described the experience as enjoyable. On the field, the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points after a slow first half, limiting the Rams to their lowest point total with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and the rushing attack averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 30 attempts. The game drew a sellout crowd of 100,021, the seventh-largest regular-season attendance in NFL history. Purdy praised the atmosphere, noting the enthusiasm of Australian fans. While the trip was deemed successful, Shanahan said future visits would depend on logistical considerations. He expressed a preference for playing home games in San Francisco but left open the possibility of returning to Australia when not on the regular season schedule.