Watch Dr Ashley Bloomfield, MPs and former All Blacks in parliamentary rugby match

Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield arrives to the grounds ahead of the 25th annual parliamentary rugby match. Photo / Getty

We all know him as the director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, who has graced our screens daily to provide the country with updates on the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Bloomfield took on a new name as he hit the field with a handful of former professional players in the 25th annual parliamentary rugby match.

The Ministry of Health team had helped brainstorm a few ideas such as "Hospital Pass" and "Don't Smash Ash".

He told media on Thursday he'd settled on "The Eliminator".

Today's clash saw Bloomfield line up alongside the likes of Stephen Bachop​, Jason Eaton​, Norm Hewitt​ and Rodney So'oialo.

Speaker Trevor Mallard was the team's manager and rugby commentator Ken Laban the waterboy. Former All Black captain Andy Leslie and player Earle Kirton coached.

Bloomfield admitted he hadn't done as much training as he would have liked in the lead-up.

"It's 35 years since I last played a game of rugby, so I'm not sure how long I'll last on the field," he said.

But despite the lack of preparation, the director-general of health crossed over for a try in the first half.

"I'm glad there's a very significant rolling subs arrangement," he said before the game.

Bloomfield said he was listed as openside flanker but is intending to run on the wing.

Meanwhile, National's Mark Mitchell and former health spokesperson Michael Woodhouse were joined by former All Black Piri Weepu, his brother, former league player Billy Weepu, and former Blues and Hurricanes player Ofisa Tonu'u to make up the opposition.

- Kickoff at 2.30pm at the Wainuiomata Rugby Club, brought to you by Pick up the Pace podcast.