The former New Zealand Maori representative, who has played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and Crusaders, pointed out he was also eager to keep contracted first five-eighths Ihaia West and Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald honest.
"I'm sure Shoey [former Magpies captain and midfield back Jason Shoemark] is coming back with the same aim. We don't want to be just giving advice ... we want to give the coaches options."
A key architect of the Magpies Air New Zealand Cup semifinal finishes in 2007, 08 and 09, Berquist played for Auckland in 2010 before signing with Leinster. He was injured in his second Pro 12 season outing and was also injured while playing for Biarritz during the 2012-13 season.
"I had a lot of injuries while I was over there but the positive of those injuries was the fact I could do a lot of travelling. We had a tough season with Treviso, finishing second to last in the Rabodirect Pro 12 and we lost all our Heineken Cup games.
"There were changes at the club and there were no contracts by the end of the season. You can only wait so long and then the opportunity to come home came up ... there's no better place than the Bay to bring up a family," Berquist, the father of a 10-month-old boy, said.
Berquist will have his first game for Napier Old Boys Marist against Clive on June 28.
Philpott believed Berquist would make an ideal fullback.
"We often get poor weather during the ITM Cup and Matt's tactical nous and safe hands under the high ball will be a massive plus for us. And we all know he is as good as anyone in the country when it comes to goalkicking."
Philpott said Berquist ticked crucial boxes for the Magpies.
"He's a good person on and off the field and he's also from Hawke's Bay."
Injuries have forced the Taradale pair of prop Ezrah Amituanai and lock Angelo Mufana out of the Hawke's Bay side to take on Wellington during tomorrow night's Hurricanes quadrangular pre-season hitouts in Palmerston North. Amituanai has a hip injury and Mufana a shoulder injury. The pair are likely to be sidelined for at least a fortnight.
Napier Old Boys Marist prop Jarvy Aoake will replace Amituanai and Hastings Rugby and Sports lock Ben Parsons will replace Mufana.
Halfbacks Chris Eaton and Ellery Wilson have niggles and with Hastings Rugby and Sports winger Tom Iosefo their back-up, Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports winger Brynn Uriarau has been called in as cover for Iosefo.
Hawke's Bay will play Wellington at 6.50pm tomorrow and the Hurricanes at 7.40pm. Magpies prop Brendon Edmonds and lock Mark Abbott will be on the Canes' bench.
