The ACT Brumbies have granted lock Sam Carter a leave of absence to be with his family after the death of childhood friend Nicholas Tooth, who died from a head injury sustained while playing rugby last weekend.
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Carter will return to northern NSW for Tooth's funeral and to offer his support to the family.
He received emergency treatment at the ground before being flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where he died on Sunday.
Wallabies second-rower Carter has been given time to grieve and won't be named in the Brumbies team to play against the Otago Highlanders on Friday night.
The Brumbies had no hesitation allowing Carter to take time away from rugby to return home and come to grips with the loss of his close mate.
Tooth's death hit hard around the rugby community, with ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and NSW Rugby Union chairman Nick Farr-Jones both offering support to Tooth's family and friends.
"Player welfare is extremely important and it's right for Sam and his family to be up there with the current situation."
A crisis counsellor from the ARU was expected to arrive in Quirindi on Tuesday night to support Tooth's Lions' teammates.
Carter's family still lives in Quirindi and the rugby club described Tooth as a "kind hearted and fine young man".
The Brumbies are planning for Carter to remain at home for as long as required, with Larkham re-jigging his team for the Anzac Day eve match against the Highlanders.
Blake Enever and Jordan Smiler are set to get their chance in the second row while Jesse Mogg and Tevita Kuridrani have been cleared to make their comebacks from shoulder injuries.
Ita Vaea is pushing for a starting spot at No.8 and Larkham could also look to a front-row rotation as the Brumbies aim to get their season back on track.
Nic White, Matt Toomua and Scott Sio are all on the injury list, while James Dargaville has returned to light training duties.
The Highlanders have opted to rest their star All Black trio as part of their obligation to New Zealand Rugby to have the country's top players primed for the World Cup.
Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa will all stay in Dunedin as Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph tests his team's depth on a trip to Canberra.
The move could be seen as a slap in the face to the Brumbies, who have lost three of their past four matches and must fight to stay in finals contention.
But Larkham was adamant the trio's absence would not add fuel to the Brumbies' motivation.
"They have a mandatory two-week break [for All Blacks players] in a World Cup year and they have to choose when they want to do it," Larkham said.
"The guys they've got coming into those positions are quality players ... I don't think it's disrespectful, it's just the nature of the World Cup preparation for the All Blacks."
The Highlanders will throw Japanese international Fumiaki Tanaka into scrumhalf to replace Aaron Smith, while Trent Renata takes over from Ben Smith and Richard Buckman replaces Fekitoa.
"It's not the fact they're taking us lightly, if anything they will come here and be more dangerous because they will be out to take their opportunities and prove themselves," said Brumbies winger Henry Speight.
"They'll be even more dangerous and they'll be out to strut their stuff."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 11
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
