My Old Man's an All Black - performed by Howard Morrison & Billy T James

'My Old Man’s an All Black' was a big hit for the Howard Morrison Quartet in 1960. The song subverted 'My Old Man's a Dustman' to mock an apartheid South African decree banning Māori players from the touring All Blacks. In this 1990 performance, Morrison and Billy T James (months after heart surgery) update the song’s lyrics for a more recent controversy: the dropping of popular All Black captain Wayne 'Buck' Shelford. Howard ribs rugby’s supposed amateurism, and Billy T explains why Buck isn’t packing down in the scrum. The final haka includes an unexpected guest...

They couldn't take those Māoris to South Africa in 1960. They can now...'cause they get paid! Oh sorry...

– Howard Morrison continues the song's subversive tradition, by poking fun at the debate over professionalism in rugby

Key Cast & Crew

Billy T James

Performer

Howard Morrison

Performer

Malcolm Kemp

Director, Producer

Temuera Morrison

Performer

Bronwyn Taylor

Designer

Kevin Taylor

Vision Control