- May 21, 2026
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The 49ers and Rams took opposite approaches to the longest road trip in NFL history: The 49ers arrived in Australia a full week early to give themselves time to acclimate. The Rams arrived in Australia the day before in an attempt not to acclimate, and simply to act as if they were still at home. So does the 49ers' 27-7 win vindicate their approach?
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed that when asked if the 49ers' travel plan worked.
"I mean, the game worked," Shanahan said. "Win or lose, I knew everyone was going to make a big deal about that, for either team. You never know how much that factors into it, you just try to do the best to prepare for three and a half hours. I liked how we prepared, but more importantly I liked how we played."
Shanahan said he hopes to visit Australia as a tourist some day but didn't focus on anything but football for this trip.
"I'd like to come back when I'm not working, enjoy it a little more," Shanahan said. "It's tough to have fun when you're working all week."
Asked if he'd like to return to Australia for another game, Shanahan said he'd always prefer to avoid long road trips.
"To play? I'd like 17 home games in San Francisco," Shanahan said. "Nothing against Australia, I just don't like to travel."
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed that when asked if the 49ers' travel plan worked.
"I mean, the game worked," Shanahan said. "Win or lose, I knew everyone was going to make a big deal about that, for either team. You never know how much that factors into it, you just try to do the best to prepare for three and a half hours. I liked how we prepared, but more importantly I liked how we played."
Shanahan said he hopes to visit Australia as a tourist some day but didn't focus on anything but football for this trip.
"I'd like to come back when I'm not working, enjoy it a little more," Shanahan said. "It's tough to have fun when you're working all week."
Asked if he'd like to return to Australia for another game, Shanahan said he'd always prefer to avoid long road trips.
"To play? I'd like 17 home games in San Francisco," Shanahan said. "Nothing against Australia, I just don't like to travel."