Puka Nacua Keeps It Real on Rams' Aussie Trip - and L.A. Home Crowd
The NFL is headed Down Under, and Puka Nacua has thoughts - plenty of them.
With the league announcing that the Los Angeles Rams will face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne to kick off the 2026 regular season, Nacua didn’t exactly hold back when discussing the international showcase. The Rams will serve as the "home" team for the matchup at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia. It's part of a record-setting slate of nine international games on the calendar this season.
While the league is clearly aiming to expand its global footprint, not everyone’s thrilled about the logistics - especially when it means giving up a divisional home game. Nacua, speaking with 49ers linebacker Fred Warner on the “Real Ones: The League” podcast, gave fans a candid, and at times hilarious, peek behind the curtain.
“We’re an hour away from each other, why are we getting sent there [Australia]?” Nacua asked, pointing out the irony of two California teams flying nearly 20 hours for a rivalry game.
Warner chimed in with a laugh: “They trying to make worldwide moves. They want us on that jet going 20 hours to Down Under.”
Nacua didn’t miss a beat. “I love kangaroos, but I want to see them when I play somebody across the country.”
But the real headline came when Warner pointed out that the Rams are technically sacrificing a home game - while the 49ers still get to host theirs later in the season.
“Honestly, at SoFi, there’s not too many home games,” Nacua said bluntly.
That’s a jab that cuts to the heart of something Rams fans - and players - have quietly acknowledged for years. Since relocating from St.
Louis to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have built a competitive roster, made multiple playoff runs, and even hoisted a Lombardi Trophy. But despite the on-field success, L.A. hasn’t exactly earned a reputation as a fortress of home-field advantage.
Visiting fans often turn SoFi Stadium into a neutral site - or worse.
Nacua’s comments weren’t mean-spirited, but they were honest. And that honesty reflects a growing sentiment among some Rams players: when it comes to crowd energy, they’re still waiting for that true home-field feel.
Loyalty Runs Deep: Nacua Rides with Kupp
Beyond the international banter, Nacua also made it clear where his heart lies when it comes to Super Bowl LX.
Asked who he’s backing between the New England Patriots and the division rival Seattle Seahawks, Nacua didn’t hesitate. His allegiance is with Cooper Kupp - and Cooper Kupp only.
“My loyalty lies with Coop,” Nacua said. “I will be cheering Cooper Kupp, and I will not be cheering for the Seahawks.
I will cheer for No. 10, and I hope he has a good game. I'm excited to see him out there.
He deserves it. There's nobody I'll be more excited for [if he wins].”
Kupp’s influence on Nacua has been well-documented. Since entering the league in 2023, Nacua has credited the veteran wideout with helping him transition to the NFL - from route running to film study to understanding defensive coverages. That mentorship clearly left a mark.
And now, as Kupp prepares for another Super Bowl appearance, Nacua is all in on his teammate’s success - even if it means rooting against a division foe.
What It All Means
Between the international travel, the candid locker room takes, and the unwavering support for a teammate, Puka Nacua continues to show why he’s quickly become one of the league’s most relatable young stars. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, crack a joke, or call it like he sees it - whether it’s about kangaroos, cross-Pacific flights, or the not-so-homey feel of SoFi Stadium.
The Rams may be headed to Australia, but Nacua’s grounded in what matters: loyalty, honesty, and a love for the game. And as the NFL continues to grow its global brand, voices like his are a reminder that even in a billion-dollar business, it's still the players - and their stories - that bring the game to life.