It would also allow players to try other codes in Term 3.
The McDonald’s u13 tournament in the third term will be retained.
The condensed season and debate about the weight-restricted grade were key features of a review of the junior game.
The weight-restricted u13 grade was brought in last year and runs alongside an u13 open grade.
Some people were unhappy about dropping the u12 grade last year, and strong feedback came in against the weight-restricted grade, but junior rugby organisers are keeping faith in the concept.
It was brought in partly for player-safety reasons, allowing smaller players a better shot at being competitive.
Junior Advisory Board (JAB) chairwoman Cara Haines said a 2017 survey showed support for a weight-restricted grade and, after teething problems, most delegates wanted to give it more time to succeed.
“We wanted to build on what we started and give it a bit more time,” she said.
“A lot of positives did come out of it.”
Based on the most recent feedback, Willoughby, who led the review, had recommended scrapping the grade and bringing back the u12s. Some younger players didn’t want to play against older boys.
However, the union backed the JAB’s stance.
The JAB has yet to decide whether the weight cut-off will stay at 56 kilograms and the committee has not yet confirmed when games will be played.
The restricted grade ran on Wednesday nights last year but will likely be moved to Saturdays.
Both Willoughby and Haines said it was important to remember who the game was for. Parents had their views but they didn’t necessarily line up with what children wanted.
“We get different messages from kids and parents,” Willoughby said.
Haines said the u10 grade played round robins last season, with no finals, recording of scores or points tables, in line with the younger grades.
