"Basically he has come here with the aim of playing his way into our squad by putting his best foot forward. He has done that so far."
Both of Wednesday night's Hawke's Bay teams won't include the province's Super players. However, the Hurricanes side is likely to include Magpies Mark Abbott, Ash Dixon and Brendon Edmonds.
Philpott and his assistant Danny Lee have selected the teams from their 30-strong training squad which has been training on Monday and Wednesday nights. After next week's games their attention will turn to selecting teams for the July 16 Magpies trial in Waipukurau.
"Some of our contracted players are unlikely to play in the trial where the emphasis will be on giving the bulk of our wider training group the best opportunity to stake a claim for the last seven or eight spots in our ITM Cup squad," Philpott explained.
He has a couple of brackets as Taradale second five-eighth Billy Ropiha and Havelock North flanker Tony Lamborn have niggly injuries. All players selected for Wednesday night's matches will still be able to play in tomorrow's third round fixtures in Hawke's Bay's Tui Maddison Trophy competition.
The feature game will see Progressive Meats Havelock North play another unbeaten outfit in defending champions Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical at Anderson Park. Nash Cup winners Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should maintain their unbeaten run when they take on MAC at Flaxmere Park.
Other matches will see Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports host Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist at Tamatea Park, Northfuels Central host IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports in a club day feature at Central Park and Clive host Tamatea at Farndon Park.
The Clive-Tamatea match will be referee Bruce Dockary's 150th premier outing. Former Magpies coach Peter Russell, who is back in the Bay after his stint with the Newcastle Falcons in the United Kingdom, had a coaching session with Clive last night.
HB (to play Wellington at 6.50pm): Ryan Tongia, Tom Iosefo, Timo Vaiusu, Ted Walters/Tane McGuire, Liam Edwards, Manihera Eden, Ellery Wilson, Kaleb Sweet, Tom Stanley, Trent Boswell-Wakefield (captain), Michael Allardice, Angelo Mufana, Ezrah Amituanai, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long.
HB (to play the Hurricanes at 7.40pm): Liam Edwards, Ryan Tongia, Trinity Spooner-Neera, Billy Ropiha/Ted Walters, Mikey Vuicakau, Tyrone Elkington-Macdonald, Chris Eaton, Mark Atkins, Tony Lamborn/Tom Stanley, Aaron McPhee, Michael Allardice, Trent Boswell-Wakefield (captain), Jody Allen, Mikey Feagai, Adrian Barone.
Substitutes (for both teams): Forwards, Jarvy Aoake, Mark Braidwood, Kelly Petrowski, Sean Watts; backs, Ethan Bradey, Tane McGuire, Mason Emerson.
