"Luke was big on endurance. We didn't do much running before he came along but, with him, we did and it improved the team's fitness big time."
Should Selesele get the nod from Philpott, and he's confident he will, he will replace Highlanders loosie Gareth Evans who is out for the remainder of the season through injury. Tomorrow's outing will be Selesele's first at No8.
"I've played 6 and 7 before. At my first training on Monday, I was pretty nervous but on Tuesday and yesterday [Wednesday] I was feeling a lot better ... everyone has made me very welcome," Selesele said.
The last IRB World Sevens Series was his fourth and first as captain. Leading his team to a 29-26 win against Fiji in the final of the Paris Sevens in May was the highlight of his time with the side.
At the end of that tournament Selesele was selected in the Paris Dream Team. He has played 139 games and scored 250 points for the Samoan Sevens team. He ranked touring South Africa in 2013 as the highlight of his time with the Samoan 15s team.
From a family of five boys and one sister, Selesele said the Samoan contingent in the Magpies wider training group, loosie Joseph Penitito, Neria Fomai and Robbie Fruean have made his first visit to the Bay a comfortable one.
"Apart from the cold, because it's hot back home at the moment, it's just like being back home."
Philpott said Evans has had similar knee surgery to what Magpies and Chiefs lock Michael Allardice had done. Evans had 10 minutes of action for the Magpies last year after breaking an arm in the Ranfurly Shield defence against Northland and the previous year missed the final four games with an injury. "Gareth is gutted," Philpott said.
Three of the Saracens, Napier Old Boys Marist prop Jarvy Aoake, Havelock North first five-eighth Dan Snee and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports utility back Matt Garland, will play the first half and then join their respective club teams for tomorrow's Maddison Trophy semifinals. The Hurricanes have released loosie Hugh Renton for the match and he will get game time as a substitute.
Crusaders utility back Fruean has been named on the subs' bench. Philpott said he had only recently returned to training after a lengthy lay off with injury and illness, so his minutes will be limited.
Taradale halfback Chris Eaton, Havelock North outside back Shannan Chase and Hastings Rugby and Sports lock Sanaila Waqa weren't considered because of their respective injuries.
HB Saracens team for the 1pm match: Lewis Marshall, Matt Garland, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Mason Emerson, Dan Snee, Ellery Wilson (vice-captain), Fa'alemiga Selesele, Ben Hamelink, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Ben Parsons, Jarvy Aoake, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long.
Substitutes: forwards, Max Fryatt, Mason Kean, Tolu Fahamokioa, Tamatoa Higgins, Hugh Renton, Lucas Goodin, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Backs:, Jayden Rihia, Tiaan Falcon, Neria Fomai, Star Timu, Robbie Fruean.
