Parents voice disgust at haka

The parents of a man killed after his throat was slit have condemned the Kapa o Pango version of the haka performed by the All Blacks.

The All Blacks reverted to their traditional Ka Mate haka for last night's Bledisloe Cup rugby clash against the Wallabies but there was much controversy before the match, with Australian coach John Connolly saying the throat-slitting action in Kapa o Pango could be taken to other extremes in society.

Australians Jean and Bob Furlong, whose son Michael was killed in an attack in Sydney in June 2000, said they had "absolute disgust" at the new haka.

The man who slit their 45-year-old son's throat was found not guilty of his murder because of mental illness.

But the Furlongs said the new haka brought back painful memories.

"It has disgusted me," Mrs Furlong told the Sunday Telegraph.

"It looks violent, it is violent. They have their hands across the throat - it's frightening.

"I really think it will encourage violence, I really do."

Mr Furlong said the All Blacks were a great football team.

"They should go back to the old pre-match ritual."

New South Wales Sports Minister Sandra Nori said the All Blacks risked alienating female rugby fans if they continued with the new version.

"The throat-slitting gesture just takes it to a place where I don't feel entirely comfortable," she said.

The All Blacks say the gesture across the throat symbolises the drawing of energy into the heart and lungs.

- NZPA