The Los Angeles Rams may be ‘Australia’s team’ for global NFL marketing purposes.
But don’t expect to see the franchise heading back down under any time soon if Rams head coach Sean McVay has his way.
Speaking to the media on Thursday as his side prepares for its Week 2 match against the New York Giants at LA’s SoFi Stadium, McVay made his thoughts of the ill-fated trip to Melbourne clear.
“It’s almost like you try and do the ‘Men in Black’ thing, where you say all right, ‘hey I don’t remember what happened.’ That was so long ago,” McVay said of the hit-and-run trip that resulted in a 27-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG.
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“We’re not playing in Australia ever again I hope,” McVay declared bluntly before quickly adding a face-saving caveat.
“Not because it wasn’t a great atmosphere, that will get taken out of context.”
Despite being the designated ‘away’ team the 49ers arrived in Melbourne a full week ahead of the historic contest and won not just the match, but the respect of local NFL fans and neutrals alike.
The Rams were in Australia for barely 30 hours.