Fiji Warriors and Samoa A are neck and neck in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2012 title race after the first set of matches in the New Zealand series of the tournament.

Fiji Warriors edged out the Crusader Knights 17-13 at Rugby Park in Christchurch while Samoa A went down 71-17 to the Chiefs Development XV.

For Samoa A, it is their first defeat of this year's tournament, after three wins in the Australia leg.

For defending IRB Pacific Rugby Cup champions Fiji Warriors, they have now won three in a row after their opening day defeat to Queensland A.

Fiji Warriors will now take on the Blues Development side on Tuesday at 6pm in Ackkland.

Story by: Filipe Naikaso