Brown, who was sacked as Dragons coach earlier this season, secured the job over fellow Australians Steve Folkes (Bulldogs) and Royce Simmons (Wests Tigers assistant), although the latter pulled out of the race this week.

The Giants were expected to announce the signing of Brown as their coach overnight after all three had taken psychometric tests as part of the selection procedure.

Brown has always insisted he wanted to continue coaching, although it was clear soon after Wayne Bennett was appointed as the new Dragons coach that he would have to find a home outside the club he played with and coached.

Brown was unavailable for comment last night but it is understood his manager George Mimis was told his client had been appointed on Tuesday night.

Simmons was considered a good fit for the Giants, with a number of Tigers at the club, including John Skandalis, Paul Whatuira and Jamaal Lolesi.

The club has also secured Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson.

But Simmons pulled out of the race for the position via email on Wednesday for personal reasons, explaining yesterday: "My oldest daughter's having a baby in six weeks and it's going to be my first grandchild."