NFL in Australia: Live coverage of the LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers clash in Melbourne
History is being made at the MCG as an NFL fixture gets played in Australia for the first time! Follow all the action and the spectacle of the day here.
NFL: History is being made at the MCG as an NFL fixture gets played in Australia for the first time!
The LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers are doing battle at our country’s most famous sporting arena, with the match serving as each team’s season opener in the opening week of the new campaign.
The two powerhouse franchises have taken a polar opposite approach to the considerable travel challenge. The Niners arrived a week out from the game in an attempt to acclimatise to Australia, while the Rams got to Melbourne barely 24 hours before kick-off in a hit-and-run approach.
Follow all the action and the spectacle of the day with our live coverage below, with the opening kick set for 8.35am WA time.
And a reminder: You can tune into the game live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport!
Aaron Kirby is reporting live.
That’s the hope!
Rams champion Todd Gurley, while predicting his former team to win, says fans can expect these two sides to come out guns blazing.
“I think the Rams get it done. I think they’ll win by around three-points. It’ll be a high scoring game. I think the defense is going to get some touch downs , but I would love to see an overtime game. Great for entertainment, right?” he said.
“I think it will be a high-scoring shootout, but I think we’ll get two defensive touchdowns as well. Maybe a pick six. We have Myles Garrett, a scoop and score, easily. Let’s make it a good one.”
Super Bowl energy
Melbourne has held a festival of NFL all week and former AFL player turned NFL punter Ben Graham has likened the energy to Super Bowl (NFL grand final) week.
“I’ve been to the Super Bowl as a player and as a media commentator and I’ve seen both sides of it and I just love the way Melbourne has embraced it,” Graham told Seven.
“They’re in for a treat today here. I can’t wait. And for all the trailblazers before myself, Colin Ridgeway, Colin Scotts, Darren Bennett, the godfather of punting, and even Don Lane back in the day that brought the NFL to the screens for Australian fans, I’m just so proud, privileged and humbled to be a part of that.”
Welcome!
Welcome to the biggest show on earth!
The NFL know how to put on a show and today they will be looking to leave a mark as they make their Australian debut.
The 49ers and the Rams have a strong rivalry and both will be out to start their season with a victory.
So buckle in as we keep you up to date with all the action in Melbourne.
