Tom Dearden says Kevin Walters encourages Australia's players to trust themselves, drawing on the coach's own record in high-pressure matches.
"For sure. I think it's just the mentality and attitude around playing. Kevvie always backed himself, he was a competitor, and I think that's what he instils in us halves and us players playing for him - just backing yourself," Dearden said.
Walters came off the bench in Australia's 1992 World Cup final against Great Britain, then trailing 6-4, and set up Steve Renouf's try. Australia won 10-6.
The Kangaroos face New Zealand in Sunday's World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium. Asked if it would be his last game as coach, Walters said: "We'll worry about that after the game. We'll have a chat about that," he said.
He added: "My big focus is on getting these guys ready to play, and I feel like they're ready to go."
AAP understands Walters wants to continue, and ARLC chairman Peter V'landys has been happy with him. The pair are expected to discuss his future after the final.
Walters signed a two-year extension earlier this year, keeping him in the Australia role until the end of 2028. He will join Super League side St Helens as head coach a week after the final.
The ARLC has recently barred NRL club coaches from coaching representative teams. St Helens is not an NRL club, so that conflict is not expected to apply.