Feels that way to him as well.
The 22-year-old had a breakthrough game against Bay of Plenty in Dunedin on Sunday.
The rangy blindside scored two second-half tries in a commanding performance to help his side clinch a 31-26 win.
Perhaps breakthrough is the wrong word. He has shown glimpses of his undoubted potential in his brief professional career, so Sunday’s effort was not unexpected.
But it was the sort of performance which gets your name jotted down in notebooks.
His versatility will not have gone unnoticed as well.
Haig slotted into lock in the second half, and he is running the lineout.
It is a lot of responsibility for someone who was ploughing their way through the mud at Littlebourne in the blue and white hoops not that long ago.
"Yeah, it doesn't feel like I've been out of school for long," he said, adding his career had advanced so quickly.
"It's been quite quick, but I've also been around some boys that have been doing it with me. Cam Millar, Jake Te Hiwi, Finn Hurley — they've all been doing it at the same time, so we've kind of been doing it together, which has been cool."
Haig was born in Perth and raised in Suffolk. He still maintains a healthy English accent.
The University of Otago history student shifted to Dunedin when he was 14 and had three years in the Otago Boys’ First XV, where his talents were very easy to spot.
He is part of a golden generation of rugby players to emerge from the region.
Haig was one of seven Highlanders under-20 players to be named in the New Zealand under-20 side in 2022.
He was selected alongside towering lock Fabian Holland, halfback Noah Hotham — who is now with the Crusaders and has made his test debut — Hayden Michaels, Hurley, Millar and Te Hiwi.
Michaels is in the Stags squad but Haig, Holland, Hurley, Millar and Te Hiwi are all growing their game together with Otago and the Highlanders.
The region has the making of a very good rugby team.
Te Hiwi has been out injured but Millar, Hurley and Holland have really stepped up in the past couple of games for Otago, and Haig produced a stunning effort in his last outing.
"Yeah, I'm pretty happy. We've got a great team here.
"The boys have really kind of started switching on and moulding together. The past two games have been great for us, so I'm loving every moment of it."
Haig sees his versatility as more of a help than a hindrance. He is more comfortable at blindside but he is also happy to slot in at lock.
Sometimes players can get pigeonholed as a utility, then find themselves on the bench covering multiple spots.
But Haig believes the time he spends at lock will only add to his game.
"I feel it's always good being able to play more than one position. Helps me grow my game, and I feel like it allows me to kind of play anywhere, or play anywhere in the back row."
Haig, who flats with Millar and Otago halfback Nathan Hastie, said today’s NPC game against Taranaki in New Plymouth would present a big challenge.
They are the defending champions and are fresh from a healthy 39-24 win over Southland in Invercargill on Saturday.
The Stags upset Otago in round one, so this game will offer a good yardstick of how much the side has improved.
"Taranaki are a great side, everyone knows that.
"We've played well at home, so for us it’s just about taking the same sort of effort and mentality away with us."
Taranaki first five Jayson Potroz will bring up 50 appearances for the Bulls.
Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has been named on the right wing for Taranaki rather than in the No 15 jersey.
It would have been interesting to see him opposite Highlanders team-mate Hurley, who will play fullback for Otago.
Hurley has been in good touch. His tactical kicking game is a work in progress. But he has got some tremendous passes away and really challenges the defensive line.
NPC
New Plymouth, 2.35pm
Otago: Finn Hurley, Hudson Creighton, Josh Whaanga, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, James Arscott, Christian Lio-Willie (captain), Harry Taylor, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Sam Fischli, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Benjamin Lopas, Moana Takataka, Will Tucker, Will Stodart, Nathan Hastie, Kyan Rangitutia, Lui Naeata.
Taranaki: Josh Jacomb, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Josh Setu, Jayson Potroz, Leone Nawai, Kaylum Boshier (captain), Michael Loft, Arese Poliko, Tom Franklin, Fiti Sa, Michael Bent, Bradley Slater, Mitch O’Neill. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Perry Lawrence, Toby Burkett, Jackson Morgan, Scott Jury, Adam Lennox, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Obey Samate.
