Hauger was again called up for the national team after impressing play for Stabæk in 2008, and played the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Netherlands on 15 October 2008, almost three years after he was last capped for Norway. Hauger soon became a regular as a holding midfielder in Egil "Drillo" Olsen's team, and started 18 consecutive national team matches until Håvard Nordtveit was chosen ahead of Hauger for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Denmark on 6 September 2011.