Fiji won the Gold Coast Sevens last season © Getty Images

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Australia will play Samoa, Argentina and Scotland on day one of the HSBC Sevens World Series opener on the Gold Coast. Rugby World Cup Sevens and HSBC Sevens World Series champions New Zealand have been drawn alongside Kenya, United States and Tonga in Pool A, and they will play the Americans in the opening match of the season.

South Africa, the 2012-2013 World Series runners-up face World Cup runners-up England in Pool B, while defending Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji will play Wales, Portugal and Canada in Pool C.

Australia finished equal-fifth at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, but coach Michael O'Connor acknowledges they are in a very competitive pool as Samoa and Argentina finished above the Australians in the 2012-2013 World Series standings.

Gold Coast Sevens Draw

• Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, United States, Tonga
• Pool B: South Africa, England, France, Spain
• Pool C: Fiji, Wales, Canada, Portugal
• Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Argentina, Scotland

"Argentina is coming off a very strong recent performance in Columbia at the World Games, where they finished a close second to South Africa," O'Connor said. "Scotland was one of the most improved sides last year, showing the benefit of an experienced player roster combined with a full-time centralised program. Scotland has had some significant wins over many of the top teams. Samoa must be one of the favourites to win the title, with so much local talent."

Australia captain Ed Jenkins, said the side was looking forward to getting back to the Gold Coast.

"It's hard to know where teams are currently at with their pre-season training so our focus is solely on our own preparation at the moment and where we can improve our game," Jenkins said. "Over the years we have had some great battles with Samoa, and there is no doubt that it will be a very physical encounter as usual. Argentina has been a side to knock us out in crucial games over the past few years so we will have to be at our best if we are to beat them in a month's time."

IRB Rugby Sevens general manager Avan Lee said "this is a pivotal time for Sevens with three years until our debut at the Olympic Games, and the Gold Coast is an exciting and eye-catching place for the HSBC Sevens World Series to kick off.