Handball Memes Rudd lining up for an epic slap shot

It is a truth universally acknowledged that while Australians love sport, their Prime Ministers are just not very good at it. Think of some political sporting escapades and you'd remember John Howard's famously woeful attempts at bowling a cricket ball, Kevin Rudd giving it a red hot go in the Prime Minister's courtyard, and most recently, Malcolm Turnbull's embarrassing attempts to sink a single shot into a basketball hoop. Now, Rudd is out on the publicity trail spruiking his new autobiography, and in a video that is currently going viral nationwide, this week he stepped out on the concrete for a vigorous lunchtime handball game with some schoolkids. Considering recent history, including his own, it was a risky move. But to give credit where credit is due, Rudd -- while not exactly showering himself with glory, and sneaking in a couple of borderline illegal shots -- has put in what must be the greatest Prime Ministerial sporting exhibition since Bob Hawke necked a goblet of mid-strength at the New Year's test match.

The former PM took to the handball squares at Kelvin Grove school in Brisbane on Monday, taking on some Year 12 students. The video comes to us courtesy of the Handball Memes Facebook page, and allows us to take a deep dive into Rudd's handball skills. Now, first off, it's important to note that every schoolyard across the nation has its own set of house rules. We don't know exactly what rulebook Kelvin Grove plays from, but it appears they don't play the traditional ace-king-queen-dunce rotation system. Their elimination process seems unclear, as Rudd gets beaten several times but seems to spend almost the entire game in the ace serving square. They also seem to not use the rule enforced in my school that you needed to have both feet inside your own square when serving the ball, with Rudd breaking that rule without penalty with his very first serve of the game.

Got to return to the handball court this morning with @KelvinGroveSC. It was a tough game. They play to win. 🎾 Thanks #KGSChttps://t.co/Nc3hbyIUJV — Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd) October 30, 2017

He's got an unorthodox serving style, this former PM, holding the ball like a cricket spin bowler and even giving it a quick shine on his trousers before unleashing a powerful, low slap across the square. Rudd shows good agility and flexibility for a man 40 years older than his opponents, bending down to reach low shots and stretching to catch ones smacked deep into the back of his square. Rudd also has a few tricks of his own, most notably slapping a hard, low one into his opponent's square -- which even seemed to have a bit of backspin on it, judging from the recipient's reaction -- to eliminate that kid, who seemed to be in disbelief that he'd been knocked out by the nation's 26th and 28th PM.

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But for all Rudd's good points, there are a few lowlights. His controversial serves are one, but it's the apparent cupping of the ball as he attempts to reel in a powerful shot into the back of his square which gave us most cause for concern. In most playgrounds, cupping or curling your hand around the ball in playing a shot is a definite no-no, with the flat open hand the only permitted method of striking.

We did a quick straw poll on Twitter, and many agreed, with others pointing out that his toe on the line would also be illegal.

def cupping - you're out kev — Jack Norton (@JackNorton8064) November 1, 2017

Agree. Confirmed by my 12 & 8 yo sons. #out — Lucy Downes (@LucyDownes22) November 1, 2017

Definitely out. That cupping cheat — Wayne (@skiwithwd) November 1, 2017

As a former handball 'pro' 😜def cupping. He's out 😀 https://t.co/HNX8VuYetS — Melanie 🕵️‍♀️ (@CartwheelPrint) November 1, 2017

Yeah u can't hold it like that, u can cup and hit and not linger for that long smh — m (@freebootersss) November 1, 2017

Under the rules we played under the cupping is fine, it's the toe on the line that warrants further investigation https://t.co/C2g0My8ZLU — Steve™ (@littlesteve) November 1, 2017

You can make up your own mind.