ROHAN Smith has been "sold down the river" at Odsal and deserves another crack with a new Bradford Bulls.

More details should be revealed today about the ownership poised to take charge of a reformed club.

New Zealanders Andrew Chalmers and Graham Lowe are understood to be involved with the consortium whose bid has been accepted by the Rugby Football League. It is thought they were due to meet the players and staff yesterday.

Smith has already indicated that he wants to stay on as head coach – and Matt Diskin believes the Aussie has earned that chance after the problems that have been forced on him.

Former Bull Diskin said: "The squad's falling apart around him at the moment and that's going to be tough. The bloke's come a long way with a young family and really committed to the club.

"I feel sorry for him because he was really sold down the river by previous management – but Rohan's a really positive bloke and he'll make the best of the situation.

"He comes with some big 'raps' from Australia and has some fantastic ideas on how to manage the club and go forward. From my brief time with him, I've every confidence that he's the right man for the job at Bradford."

A Bradford 'select' team made up of former players had been due to face Diskin's Batley in a friendly on Sunday but the plug was pulled early last week.

It is also looking increasingly unlikely that they would be able to fulfil Luke Robinson's testimonial at Huddersfield this coming weekend.

Diskin does not underestimate the size of the task that would await Smith to put a competitive side together for the Championship campaign, which opens in just 19 days at Hull KR.

The new Bradford club, shorn of some of their most established players, will kick off with a 12-point penalty.

Diskin said: "It is going to be tough and Rohan's going to have to learn a whole new system, predominantly his experience has been in the NRL.

"But he's got a massive incentive, he's the man for the job and he certainly deserves it. To stand there like a ship in such stormy conditions, you've got to admire him for it."