49ers rout Rams 27-7 in NFL’s first Australia game

49ers rout Rams 27-7 in NFL’s first Australia game GREG BEACHAM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PUBLISHED 30 MINUTES AGO Open this photo in gallery: San Francisco 49ers' tight end #89 Luke Farrell (R) fends of Los Angeles Rams' safety #5 Kamren Kinchens during their game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 11 MARTIN KEEP/AFP/GETTY IMAGES COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. The San Francisco 49ers enjoyed every moment of their week-long Australian adventure. They gradually adjusted their body clocks, enjoyed Melbourne’s sights and tastes – and then they dominated a division rival in the NFL’s first regular-season game Down Under. The Los Angeles Rams only boomeranged in 28 hours before kickoff, and they flew back out with their Super Bowl aspirations in disarray after getting thrashed in a historic season opener. Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel caught touchdown passes from Brock Purdy, and the Niners routed the Rams 27-7 Friday. Purdy passed for 205 yards against the Rams’ ineffective defence at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 100,021 fans, the seventh-largest regular season crowd in NFL history. Australia’s sporting capital revelled in its first real taste of American football – and in a dominant win by the 49ers, who had already won many Aussies’ affection by travelling to Melbourne a week earlier than the Rams. “It was definitely worth it to come a little bit early,” said Evans, who caught six passes in a strong 49ers debut. “We definitely got acclimated. ... All the guys attacked it. We didn’t complain. We actually enjoyed being here in Melbourne.” A party atmosphere prevailed even with a Friday morning kickoff necessary for U.S. television. The fans got another memorable chapter in this NFC West rivalry as the 49ers surprisingly blasted the touted Rams with superior play on both sides of the ball. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said the historic, hulking arena “felt gladiator-ish. ... It felt like home once we got here. I’m glad the guys played like it, too.” Kyren Williams scored the NFL’s first Australian touchdown on a 5-yard rush to begin the second quarter, but the 49ers took control from there, scoring the final 24 points. While Purdy’s offence managed enough big plays to win, the San Francisco defence frustrated NFL MVP Matthew Stafford into a 15-of-25 performance for just 155 yards. The…