Australia and New Zealand will meet for the first time in the pool stage of a Women's World Rugby Sevens Series event ©World Rugby

Australia and New Zealand will meet for the first time in the pool stage of a Women's World Rugby Sevens Series tournament when they clash on the opening day of the latest event on the calendar in Las Vegas tomorrow.

The two arch-rivals, who have won 17 of the 22 rounds between them since the Women's Series began in Dubai in 2012, have been drawn together in Pool C of the competition.

A men's event is also due to take place at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, with both competitions concluding on Sunday (March 5).

A total of 16 men's sides will participate, with 12 women's teams set to compete.

The clash between Australia and New Zealand, the current overall leaders, is a repeat of the first-ever women's rugby sevens Olympic Games gold medal match at Rio 2016. 

The Australian side got the better of their opponents in the Brazilian city and will be hoping to earn another victory over their neighbours when they do battle tomorrow.

Pool C also features Olympic host nation Brazil and England.

Canada, who won the most recent leg of the Series in Sydney, France, Russia and Argentina comprise Pool A, with the United States, Fiji, Ireland and Spain making up Pool B.

Teams in the men's and women's tournament have embarked on a tour of local schools in Las Vegas this week in an attempt to spread the popularity of the sport in the US.

Teams in the men's and women's tournament have embarked on a tour of local schools in Las Vegas this week ©World Rugby
Teams in the men's and women's tournament have embarked on a tour of local schools in Las Vegas this week ©World Rugby

Each school in the Adopt a Country legacy programme picks a nation represented by one of the teams competing and studies them in the lead-up to the event.

During the visits, students will showcase what they have learned when the school hosts an assembly for the team, which includes singing the national anthem, playing games and welcoming players.

Around 2,000 people on the programme will then be in attendance at the stadium.

"It’s great to be here and having fun with the children," said Fiji captain Osea Kolinisau. 

"We really love doing this sort of thing. 

"It’s so important for us that wherever we go in the world, we get to mix with local people and spread our love for rugby. 

"It’s fantastic for us to see all the smiling, happy faces. 

"It makes us feel good too."

South Africa, who topped the podium in Sydney, have been drawn with Wales, France and Canada in Pool A.

Pool B includes England, the US, Samoa and Chile, while Pool C is comprised of New Zealand, Argentina, Russia and Kenya.

Australia, Fiji, Japan and Scotland are in Pool D.