Brumbies lock Sam Carter to miss Highlanders clash following death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth

BRUMBIES and Wallabies lock Sam Carter has been granted compassionate leave to return home to Quirindi after the death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 10: Sam Carter of the Brumbies wins lineout ball during the round nine Super Rugby match between the Blues and the Brumbies at Eden Park on April 10, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

BRUMBIES and Wallabies lock Sam Carter has been granted compassionate leave to return home to Quirindi after the death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth.

A grieving Carter was not selected for the Brumbies to play against the Highlanders on Friday night in Canberra following the tragic passing of Tooth last weekend.

Tooth, 25, died after suffering a head knock in a game for the Quirindi Lions.

Carter’s family property in Quirindi is located adjacent to the Tooth family, and the Brumby forward grew up as childhood friends with Nick Tooth. Carter also played for the Quirindi Lions as a junior.

He was granted indefinite leave by the Brumbies to return to Quirindi and mourn with his family and the shattered town.

Jordan Smiler has come into the starting second row alongside Blake Enever.

Elsewhere, fullback Jesse Mogg and centre Tevita Kuridrani have been cleared to make their comebacks from shoulder injuries.

Robbie Coleman will shift to inside centre.

Originally published as Brumbies lock Sam Carter to miss Highlanders clash following death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth