Fred Booth will turn 80 in a few months time but he's doing a good impression of an excited teenager at the moment.

On Thursday, the Highlanders will play the Crusaders in a Super Rugby preseason game on his farm paddock at Waimumu, near Gore.

For the passionate Highlanders fan and dedicated farmer, the dream combination means it is every Christmas come at once for Booth.

Robyn Edie Brendan Eathorne, of Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium, marks out the Fred Booth Park field for Thursday's night's preseason Super Rugby game between the Highlanders and Crusaders at Waimumu.

"It means everything for me, it is absolutely fabulous to be able to go and see them play so handy," Booth said.

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"These two teams have got world-renowned players so how could you get anything better than having them play at your paddock. It just couldn't be better."

Booth has watched on with interest as the Field Days committee, along with the Gore District Council, have developed a field on his paddock fit enough for elite athletes to play on.

"The ground is absolutely superb right now, it is ready for the game I reckon. The guys from the council have done a marvellous job and they have to be given full marks for what they have done."

Highlanders officials dreamed up the idea a couple of years back to play a fixture at Waimumu as part of the Southern Field Days, an event which attracts about 38,500 people across three days every two years.

Robyn Edie Land owner Fred Booth.

Booth's paddock close to the Field Day's site was viewed as a the best place to build a makeshift rugby ground, and he quickly agreed.

The paddock, where sheep or cattle would normally graze, underwent the transformation into a rugby field.

Booth admits he did not quite grasp the grand plans when he was initially approached by Southern Field Days chairman Logan Evans.

Robyn Edie Gore District Council parks officer John Ave, mows the Fred Booth Park field where the Highlanders will play the Crusaders in a preseason fixture.

"I was thinking a couple of local teams, maybe Riversdale and a team from Invercargill or Gore."

"He said, 'no we've got one team jacked up now', and I asked who's that? and he said, 'the Highlanders'."

"I said, 'wow, that's unbelievable, we better go for it'."

The game is not only a chance for Booth to watch his favourite team play in his backyard, but it has also developed into somewhat of a family reunion.

Booth has been given 40-odd tickets for the game and most of those have been snapped up by family.

Family have travelled from as far as Australia to watch the game unfold on the farm.

It had added another element to an already special day for Booth.

"We are right on halfway, right beside the players tent and if it is a thirsty day we've got the Speights tent on the other side."

Soon after the crowds leave and the tents are pulled down Booth's paddock will return to an everday working farm with sheep set to graze there.

However the Highlanders have already confirmed they will be back in two years time to play at Fred Booth Park, something Booth was delighted about.