Samoa and NZ to kick off rugby schools tri-series

The secondary schools Tri-Nations rugby series kicks off in Brisbane tonight with Samoa taking on New Zealand at Sunnybank Rugby Club.

The Samoa team features a number of players who took part in the Commonwealth Youth Games sevens competition in Apia earlier this month.

Samoa have never beaten New Zealand in five schools internationals dating back to 1999, while they've lost each of their seven matches against Australia since 2001.

The second round of matches is on Monday with Samoa and Australia Schools going head to head, with Samoa to face the Australian Schools Barbarians on Friday.

Last year New Zealand won the annual Tri-Series in Wellington against Australia and Fiji.