"Our goal is to grow the game of rugby, and for our youngsters to get up close to the Hurricanes and Crusaders players is a big opportunity."
The match will be played on the Border Rugby Club's No1 field on February 17 as head Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd puts the final touches on his team's pre-season campaign.
Boyd said it was a fitting time to visit the region after the Whanganui team's back-to-back Meads Cup titles.
"We're looking forward to spending some time in the local community and engaging with some of our fans from the Whanganui and Taranaki regions who we know are great supporters of the club," Mr Boyd said.
Border stalwart and Whanganui player for more than 100 games Guy Lennox said hosting the Hurricanes would be a massive event for the community.
"Kids will be coming to Waverley from hundreds of miles around," he said. "The place has been buzzing with rumours about the Hurricanes coming to town and I've had to bite my tongue. This will be huge news because we just don't get to see players of this quality in our backyard."
Although Waverley is geographically on the edge of the South Taranaki District, Border has traditionally played in the Whanganui club competition.
Farmlands' chief executive Peter Reidie said there was always a feel-good factor to taking big-time professional rugby back to New Zealand's heartland areas.
"We're a rural co-operative and like most rural communities, we're big on tradition. Bringing a rugby game to Waverley is a great way for the community to get up close to players they would usually only get the chance to see on TV," Mr Reidie said.
"This will be the third time we have staged a game in heartland New Zealand and our shareholders enjoy us bringing rugby back to its roots."
Tickets to the match will be available exclusively in Farmlands stores during December, with sales to the public beginning on January 9.
The word had spread quickly in Waverley. Resident Barbara Dallison said the news was all over town.
"It's good for Waverley, and will give us a lift."
