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Shanahan changes tune on Aussie trip: It's right
Developing
In Short: San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has changed his tune on the long journey to Australia, now embracing the trip despite initial concerns.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has softened his stance on the team's long journey to Australia for the season opener, now joking about not seeing kangaroos and crocodiles on Melbourne's streets. According to reports, Shanahan said, 'I mean, when I said … that was nothing against Australia or anything. That’s just about competition and how important our 17 games are. It’s cool for us [to come to Melbourne].
Shanahan, who initially voiced concerns about the travel, now seems to have embraced the historic NFL clash at the MCG against the Los Angeles Rams on Friday. He joked, 'Yeah, that I don’t see kangaroos and crocodiles everywhere. I was expecting to see that, and looks like a very normal, cool city.
Despite the 17-hour time difference with the west coast of the US, Shanahan remains confident about the decision, though he admits adjusting to the new time zone is still a work in progress. He quipped, 'When I look at my clock, and it says the time, and then I try to see my family’s time, and it says the time, but it says yesterday, I don’t get how that’s possible.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey has also embraced the trip, with Shanahan noting, 'Star running back Christian McCaffrey has also embraced the trip, and could be in line for a coffee sponsorship, so effusive was he about the local brews.
What's confirmed
- Shanahan said he hadn’t ventured too far from the team hotel yet, but joked he was surprised he had yet to come across two animals this country is known for.
- Shanahan initially voiced concerns about travelling so far for a season-opening game, declaring in March he didn’t “see any pro” about having to travel to here.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- Theagelink