Today's rugby news as Wales coach 'proud' on historic night and Wallabies v All Blacks in chaotic finish

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, September 21.

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, September 21.

RFU take no further action over alleged racist message

The Rugby Football Union says it will "take no further action" against Amy Wilson-Hardy following an investigation into an alleged racist message.

A screengrab of a WhatsApp message that appeared to be from the Team GB sevens player was posted on Instagram during this summer's Paris Olympics, with the 33-year-old being accused of racism.

The RFU said Wilson-Hardy had "expressed great remorse" for the "historical private message".

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The British Olympic Association initiated the investigation but after the Olympics finished it was then passed to the RFU. "The RFU has investigated this case and will not be taking any further action," read an RFU statement.

"Amy expressed great remorse for a historical private message with a former partner. She missed two games and has committed to undertake an inclusion and diversity awareness education course."

Wallabies v All Blacks in chaotic finish

Australia were beaten 28-31 by New Zealand in their Bledisloe Cup encounter on Saturday despite a rousing fightback.

It comes just a fortnight after Joe Schmidt's side were humiliated by Argentina in a 67-27 scoreline.

The All Blacks got off to a stunning start in Sydney, with Will Jordan gliding through the Wallabies' defence with just two minutes on the clock. Rieko Ioane made it two just seven minutes later, and on 16 minutes Caleb Clarke added a third as things began to look ugly for the hosts.

Fraser McReight did get the home side on the scoreboard from a well-worked lineout but Savea secured the bonus point with just 28 minutes on the clock when he was presented with a gift from Hunter Paisami.

Matt Faessler got Schmidt's side back in the contest to leave the scores 28-14 at the turnaround.

Damian McKenzie added a penalty early on, and the visitors had their second try of the game disallowed following a forward pass.

Paisami reduced the deficit with a superb score to bring the margin down to 10 points with 13 minutes left on the clock as the hosts rallied.

The All Blacks were reduced to 13 for the final throes of the contest with two sent to the bin. And Tom Wright made it a three-point game in chaotic finish which saw the home side come up just short amid a spirited comeback.

Australia starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

New Zealand starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Harry Plummer.

Wales coach 'proud' after historic win

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham was proud as his side defeated Australia for the first time at Rodney Parade on Friday night.

Wales women were preparing for the start of the WXV2 tournament in Cape Town next week, which will start with a rematch of Wales and Australia.

And Cunningham, after a tough year so far that saw them win just one Six Nations match, believed there was plenty to take out of a maiden victory over the Wallaroos.

"I was really proud in the way we stayed in the fight, credit to Australia, a great team, scored some nice tries, but we never lost faith," said Cunningham.

"We stuck to our systems and had that calmness as well, we've shown a bit of maturity in our team coming off the Six Nations to get that win.

"I thought the lineout went well, we got lots of gain line off that. I thought we grew in the game defensively, which is something we've focussed on over the last two weeks, building that red wall.

"And then that composure and patience which we showed in the second half when we were close to the try line, we did complete those scores, those are pleasing points for us to build on when we play them next week."

Wales stars line up across Europe

A whole host of Wales internationals will line up for various clubs across Europe this weekend.

Jarrod Evans and Leigh Halfpenny have been named in the starting XV for Harlequins in their season opener against Sharks on Sunday. For Leicester Tigers, former Ospreys prop Nicky Smith will start the match, with his Wales team-mate Tommy Reffell named on the replacements bench.

Joe Hawkins has been named to start at inside centre for Exeter Chiefs, with fellow Wales international Christ Tshiunza named on the bench. In Gloucester, Max Llewelyn, Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe are named to start against Saracens, with Wales stars Nick Tompkins and Rhys Carre coming up against them.

Scrum-half Lloyd Williams starts at scrum-half for Ealing Trailfinders, in a half-back pairing with former Scarlets man Dan Jones in the Championship.

In France, prop Tomas Francis will captain for Provence for the first time when they face Beziers.

Cardiff pleased with bonus point but not performance

Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt said he was delighted by the bonus point victory over Zebre in their URC opener, even if the performance left a lot to be desired.

The Blue and Blacks failed to kick on from a 22-3 lead midway through the second-half, conceding two late tries in a sloppy performance to finish up 22-17 victors.

While Sherratt was pleased to start the season off with maximum points on the opening weekend, he was under no illusions they would need to improve ahead of a Welsh derby next weekend.

"It was perfect in terms in terms of five points but not perfect in terms of performance," he said.

"There were eight new players, new coaches and it will take a bit of time to be cohesive.

"Before the game I would have taken five points, job done and then onto the Scarlets next weekend."