Georgia

In 2011, Haig was named as Georgia head coach, after being suggested by Vern Cotter, who was the GRU's first candidate, and the NZRU.^[9] His first match in charge would have been on 4 February 2012 against Ukraine, but was postponed due to weather. Which meant his first match in charge was against Spain, who were the victors 25–18. It was the first time Spain had beaten Georgia since 2007, but despite this, Georgia went on to secure a 32–7 win over Portugal two weeks later. Three more wins, including a 46–0 win over Russia, meant Haig led the team to first in the 2012 ENC, and first in the overall 2011–2012 season. In June 2012, the IRB introduced a new global rugby calendar, so that Tier 2 nations could play Tier 1 or intercontinental Tier 2 opposition more often. This meant on 16 and 23 June, Georgia played the United States and Canada in away fixtures. Unfortunately for Georgia, they lost both fixtures 36–20 and 31–12 respectively.^[10] The calendar continued into the end-of-year tests where Georgia hosted Japan, lost 25–22,^[11] and Fiji, lost 24–19.^[12]

In 2013, Georgia's campaign to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup started, and to qualify, Haig had to lead the team to first or second in the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division. In the first year, Georgia finished top of the table with 19 points, narrowly ahead of Romania who were also on 19 points, but behind on points difference. But a 100% win rate in the 2014 season, saw Georgia top the table with 41 points and qualified for the World Cup as Europe 1.^[13] Qualifying as Europe 1, meant for Haig he would face his native country of New Zealand.^[9]

In April 2013, the IRB formed the IRB Tbilisi Cup, where Georgia would host various European teams and invitational sides from Ireland, South Africa and Argentina.^[14] In 2013, Haig led Georgia to third in the table, losing only narrowly, 20–15 to Emerging Ireland and 21–16 to South Africa President's XV. Haig almost led Georgia to a first ever victory over Argentina on 22 June 2013, but a 76-minute try by Tomás Cubelli, meant Georgia left San Juan 29–18.^[15] However, during the 2013 end-of-year rugby union internationals, Haig led Georgia to two victories from three, including a first ever victory for Georgia over Samoa, 16–15.^[16] They also beat Canada 19–15, but lost to the United States 25–23.^[17][18]

During the 2014 end-of-year rugby union internationals, Haig faced tough opposition at home and away. Firstly, Georgia had to face Tonga, who had Rugby World Cup winner coach Jake White in the coaching team. A second half surge gave Tonga a 23–9 victory, with the 3 tries in the game coming in the closing 15 minutes. A week later, a unique opportunity to face a Six Nations Championship side, in the likes of Ireland in Dublin. Despite only being 9–0 down at half time, Ireland pulled away in the second half winning 49–7.^[19] On 23 November 2013, Georgia faced Japan in Tbilisi. Georgia scored 5 tries in a 35–24 victory over the Brave Blossoms.

In February and March 2015, Haig led Georgia to their second consecutive Grand Slam in the 2015 ENC. He firstly led the team to a 64–8 win over Germany, before narrowly beating Portugal 20–15 at home. Against Spain he secured a 26–13 win in Madrid, a 33–0 win over Russia, before beating Romania 15–6 to retain the Antim Cup for 5 consecutive years. Unfortunately for Haig and Georgia, the team was unable to retain their form in the 2015 World Rugby Tbilisi Cup, where they lost back to back matches to Emerging Italy 26–10 and Emerging Ireland 45–12. They did however open the tournament with a 19–10 win over Uruguay.

Despite Georgia's poor record in 2015, Georgia had a successful 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign. Georgia finished third in their pool, which meant for the first time, they had automatically qualified for the next World Cup, in 2019. They opened with a 17–10 win over Tonga, before being heavily beaten by Argentina, 54–9, and New Zealand 43–10. However, Georgia were praised for being massively competitive in their game against New Zealand, causing the All Blacks problems at the scrum, break down and defence. Georgia finished with a 17–16 win over Namibia, despite being 6–0 down at half time.

In 2016, with wins over Germany (59–7), Portugal (29–3), Spain (38–7), Russia (24–7) and Romania (38–9), Haig led Georgia to a third consecutive Grand Slam title when Georgia won the 2016 ENC. This was backed up by an undefeated tour of the Pacific Islanders in June 2016. They drew with a weakened Samoa squad, which included 9 uncapped players, 19–all, before downing Tonga 23–20. On 24 June, Georgia defeated Fiji 14–3 to earn their first ever win over the Flying Fijians, and in doing so, moved to 11th in the World Rankings, Georgia's highest ever position. Georgia became the first team to keep Fiji tryless since Wales defeated them 66–0 in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In November 2016, a inexperienced Japanese side defeated Georgia 28−22, though Georgia went onto earn a record winning margin score against Samoa, winning 20−16. On 26 November, Georgia traveled to Scotland to play their first tier 1 nation outside a Rugby World Cup, since Ireland in 2014. Scotland won 43–16.

The 2017 Rugby Europe Championship was the first time under Haig that Georgia did not win the Championship. Having beaten all opponents; Belgium 31–6, Germany 50–6, Spain 20–10 and Russia 28–14, leading into the final week the game against Romania was the Championship decider. For the first time since 2010, Romania beat Georgia, winning 8–7 to win the Championship. During the 2017 June internationals, Haig led Georgia to two victories on their Americas tour, defeating Canada 13–0 and the United States 21–17 in what was the first time Georgia had beaten both teams away. Their third game was a 45–29 loss to Argentina. During the 2017 Autumn Internationals, Haig led his side to two victories, defeating Canada 54–22, a record winning margin, and the United States 21–20. The only loss came against Wales in Cardiff, losing 13–6, in what was a first ever meeting for the two nations.

Haig led Georgia to reclaim the Rugby Europe Championship in 2018, winning all five games; defeating Belgium 47–0, Germany 64–0, Spain 23–10, Russia 29–9 and Romania 25–16 to reclaim the Antim Cup. In June 2018, Haig took Georgia to the first ever appearance at the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, where they faced Tonga and Fiji. Georgia won their first game 16–15, however lost to Fiji 37–15 in the second game to finish third, just behind Samoa. In addition to the Pacific Nations Cup, Georgia faced Japan in a one-off test match, in what was a historic biggest loss for Georgia against Japan, losing 28–0. The November test window saw the much anticipated test between Georgia and Italy take place, which the Italian side won 28–17. Georgia replied with a 20–9 victory over Tonga, their only other test match in the November window.

At the start of the World Cup year, Georgia convincingly won the 2019 Rugby Europe Championship, winning all five matches. They retained the title, 6 points clear of runners-up Spain.