But he admits he will not be barracking for Otago in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon in a Ranfurly Shield challenge.
That is not to say Haggart believes Otago will be wasting its time heading north.
"They have got a chance, although history would say it's against them. But unfortunately for Canterbury they are going to be affected by a lot of players away. That certainly makes them more vulnerable when they have seven or eight players out," Haggart said.
"But Canterbury are a side who, I wouldn't say play with arrogance, but have enormous self-belief, and know what to do and how to go about it. That makes them extremely tough."
The home side had a good history with the shield, which would help in tight situations, he said.
Haggart was the assistant coach for the Otago side for several years, but was overlooked for the head coaching position at the end of 2005, and then shifted to Christchurch to be the assistant coach of the Canterbury team.
He resigned that position at the end of last season, leaving on the best note possible after Canterbury won the Air New Zealand Cup.
The former first five-eighth is now working for the R80 company, a joint venture between private operators and the Canterbury Rugby Football Union, offering rugby services such as equipment and coaching instructions.
Haggart (48) is developing the coaching resources of the company.
He also oversees the Canterbury union's high-performance unit, and works with the academy and some players.
He said he could hardly barrack for his former province, given Canterbury was his employer, but he felt Otago was a good side, and must have learned from the failed Shield challenge against Wellington.
"It's got to happen one day, and if you look back in history this is as good a chance as any.
"They must have learned so much from that [loss to Wellington] - the way they needed to play for the whole 80 minutes and take the opportunities when they present themselves. They did enough to win that game but have to play for the entire 80 minutes."
Haggart said the Ranfurly Shield meant much to people in Christchurch, and the players were well aware of that.
Haggart never played in a challenge against Canterbury as a player.
He was on the bench in 1984, when Otago was thrashed 44-3.
He played against the great Auckland sides in the 1980s for the Shield, coming up short in 1998, when Otago led deep into the game before losing 27-17.
"That Auckland team was a great team. But what it showed was you have to have things go your way. The bounce of the ball, the ref's call . . . all have to go your way when you're playing an Auckland or a Canterbury."
