Like Dagg, Spooner-Neera, who played four legs for the All Black Sevens on the World Series circuit earlier this year, is capable of playing several positions and Philpott is keen to see how he performs on the wing and in the midfield as well as in the No 15 jersey.
"I'm not too fussed about where I play. It's my first year in the Magpies squad and I'm just happy to play where I'm put," Spooner-Neera said before last night's training session at Taradale.
For just the second time in his career, the win for the villagers against Tamatea was the first, Spooner-Neera will play alongside his 23-year-old brother Bronson Neera.
"We've got the same positions [Neera will start at centre) as we did in the win against Tamatea. Hopefully we'll have the same sort of success," Spooner-Neera said.
"It's been a bit weird coming back to 15s after sevens. Before the Tamatea game my last 15s match was for the New Zealand Secondary Schools back in October last year. Obviously with all the Super players unavailable I've got an opportunity this week ... I have to shine and see if the coaches like me."
"Making the ITM Cup squad is the short-term goal and the Rio Olympics with the All Black Sevens is the long-term goal," he added.
Neera said it was a buzz playing alongside his younger brother for Havelock but pointed out it would be another level tomorrow night.
He is keen to add to his two first-class appearances for the Magpies last year off the bench this year.
While there is a chance he could be pipped for a berth in the ITM Cup squad by his sibling, Neera doesn't look upon it as competition.
"I would be happy either way. I wish him all the best as he does for me. Trinity is still young and has plenty of time ... at the same time I couldn't be prouder of what he has achieved in his rugby career to date," Neera said. He missed the bulk of the club season because of surgery on an ankle injury.
"I'm happy with my fitness ... I just need game time now."
"I know Bucky [Hurricanes extended squad member Richard Buckman] is still the best centre in the Bay. I just have to do my best to join him in the Magpies squad," Neera, a Patu Gym trainer, said.
"I get a buzz out of helping Maori and Pacific Island people battle obesity. Hopefully, I can continue that good work as well as play rugby," he added.
Should the two brothers make the Magpies ITM Cup squad the chances of them joining former Havelock North premier players, Murdoch and Nathan Paewai and Simon and Greg Halford as siblings from the Havelock club to play first class rugby together for the Magpies will be reasonably high.
Naturally Neera and Spooner-Neera are hoping for better weather conditions in Palmy than they have been training in with the squad since Saturday. They have played alongside the rest of their Saracens XV backline teammates in Hawke's Bay Sevens outings and their excitement potential in XVs on a dry ground is enormous.
The full Saracens XV is:
Trinity Spooner-Neera, Penikolo Latu, Bronson Neera, Adam Bradey (captain), Mikey Vuicakau, Ihaia West, Chris Eaton, Mark Atkins, Tony Lamborn, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Johan Schoonbee, Michael Allardice, Jody Allen, Jesse MacDonald, Brendon Edmonds (vice-captain).
Substitutes: Forwards, Josh Te Whata-Colley, Max Lahiff, Kelly Petrowski, Tom Parsons, Mark Abbott; backs, Jonathan Ruru, John Semple, Billy Ropiha, Tamati Samuels, Gillies Kaka.
