"We've been talking about this storm of five games in 19 days for a while. I thought we hung in there really well with the score at 16-7 before we leaked that try just before halftime.
When you're 23-7 down, you aren't going to throw yourselves into the rucks in the same manner as you would if it was a bit tighter, particularly when you know you've got Southland in Invercargill four days later.
"During the past week or so, we have been talking about Southland as a target game and one we want to have our best side out there for," Philpott added, referring to the fact the Stags are also winless.
The Magpies have a lengthy injury list but there was still enough talent and experience in yesterday's team to produce a far more competitive effort. Conceding 40 unanswered points, as the Magpies did in the second half, is unacceptable.
Once again too many missed tackles (41) and soft turnovers let the Magpies down. A lot of the good work displayed in the 25-24 loss to Auckland on Wednesday was undone in yesterday's debacle.
The Magpies didn't have a lot of possession but still conceded 13 turnovers during the first 57 minutes, four more than Canterbury. During the first half the Magpies missed 16 tackles, nine more than Canterbury.
"Our defence had come a long way during the last couple of weeks. But to concede 60 odd points is not a good day at the office," said Magpies blindside flanker and captain for the day, Mark Abbott.
"Canterbury are quality opposition and we weren't with them today. We are a team of fighters and we're never going to give up ... we will come back better on Thursday," he promised.
The Magpies' sole try was a beauty. In-form centre Jonah Lowe sparked a breakout from the red zone with a clever kick ahead which fullback Matt Garland regathered.
When Garland was tackled, he offloaded to Lowe, who used his superb pace to beat the cover defence. Unfortunately there weren't any more and the Cantabs won the try count 8-1.
Hawke's Bay age group product Dominic Bird, as he has done so often in the past against his home province, was at the top of a lengthy list of heroes for the hosts.
Dominant at lineout time, Bird was also powerful in the confrontation area, classy with his offloads and his 43rd minute try dashed any hopes of a Magpies comeback.
First-five Richie Mo'unga did well to land all seven of his attempts at goal before he was replaced in the 54th minute. His option taking was spot on and he made some clever breaks.
Second-five Rob Thompson had another outstanding match and deserved his two tries, while wing George Bridge was another tough customer for the defence.
The Magpies scrum operated well but the lineout left a lot to be desired, with the Cantabs stealing at least four Magpies throws.
After doing so well with his switch to loosehead prop, it was always going to be tough for starting hooker Ricky Riccitelli to hit his target in the easterly.
Riccitelli was busy in general play and, along with Abbott and openside flanker Tony Lamborn, before his early exit with injury, was the pick of the Magpies forwards.
Unfortunate sinbinning aside, Lowe was the best of the Magpies backs, with wing Mason Emerson close behind.
Canterbury 63 (R. Thompson 2, G. Bridge, S. Barrett, D. Bird, B. Funnell, N. Earle, J. Barrett tries; R. Mo'unga 4 con, 3 pen, J. Barrett 3 con) Hawke's Bay 7 (J. Lowe try; I. West con) at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
