Before the undisputed king of the awkward handshake came along, any one of a number of people could have claimed that title.

If you happen to be a Kiwi, though, chances are you might put forward former Prime Minister Sir John Key’s name, who went down in handshake infamy for a very public and awkward three-way.

Back in 2011, as the All Blacks broke their Rugby World Cup curse on home turf, Key, All Black skipper Richie McCaw and former World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset engaged in a truly cringeworthy moment.

Look at it – so awkward:

That’s John, hanging onto Richie’s bottom two fingers as though his life depended on it.

Now, eight years later, Key and McCaw revisited the infamous moment, and Key made a compelling case for being blameless in the whole fiasco.

Via TVNZ, it’s time to put this debate to bed:

The sweet, sweet taste of redemption.

Over to you, Siya at the 2019 World Cup trophy presentation ceremony.

[source:tvnz]