Both nations had advanced through the initial pool phase of the competition with 100 per cent records, before earning victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic yesterday in the power pool stage.

Australia eventually fell to a 15-8 defeat to finish as runners-up to their rivals in the standings, despite pushing the American team throughout their match.

Victory saw the US secure a quarter-final match against Colombia, who ended as the second place team in Pool K behind Britain.

The host nation had beaten Belgium 15-10 to record their third straight win in the pool and they will now seek to maintain their form when they are due to face Australia tomorrow.

Pool L winners Japan will take on Belgium in their quarter-final tie, while Canada will meet Germany, who triumphed in Pool M.

In the women’s event, reigning champions Japan had already assured themselves of top spot in Pool A having won the last of the six fixtures yesterday, to end with a 100 per cent record.

They have now discovered that they will meet Australia in the last eight of the competition, with their opponents having fallen to a 15-12 defeat to Russia today, which saw them end third in Pool D.

Russia’s victory saw them end second in the standings and they will now take on Pool C winners Canada, while after beating the Russian and Australian team to top spot, Colombia will meet Germany.

The United States, who were beaten finalists back in 2012, where the emerged unscathed from Pool B with six wins to their credit.

They will now start as favourites to overcome Switzerland, who ended third in Pool C.