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Kyle Shanahan defends Sean McVay’s blunder on 49ers-Rams opening season in Australia

The San Francisco 49ers opened the 2026 campaign with a commanding 27-7 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. While San Francisco prepared by spending an entire week locally prior to kickoff, Los Angeles opted to land approximately a single day ahead of the divisional showdown.

Following the one-sided outcome, Rams head coach Sean McVay remarked that he hoped to never participate in an Australian fixture again, though he acknowledged appreciating the local atmosphere. In response to the postgame criticism directed at McVay, 49ers leader Kyle Shanahan offered words in defense of his opposing counterpart.