O'Kane has good hands as seen with his linking abilities when playing league. His issue maybe his desire to take the ball too often. I feel he will focus on defense erly in a game as his tackle rate is high, conditioning excellent and his strength at the break down are assets. Later in games, he will be very effective with tiring oppositions, many of whom will be hurting from his tackles.
I will be hoping he takes on the playing style from one the best number 8's Joeys had in 2004 captain Pauliasi Taumoepeau. "Pauli" was known for his excellent line out play at third pod, running off the number 10 and taking the inside ball in support. He did have the advantage of KB (Kurtley Beale) as his fly-half, but he still had to run at the holes. He would follow the ball player and back up. Hence he scored a try in every competition game, something KB (Kurtley Beale) never did
In 2004-2007 the team worked on attacking the space, rather than attacking the man. Something Joeys finally discovered again in 2018, 2019. The era of running over others has gone since all schools (expect Shore I'm afraid) have developed similar size cattle. Now it comes down to rugby smarts, rather than rugby tanks. If the Joeys 10 can position a hard running O'Kane hitting a gap, then he will be hard to stop. Many players will make an error of trying to take him high but the Joeys boys have developed their core and leg strength and they are working on driving through.
Here is an example or running at the gap
(2.03 in the video), using your leg strength to stay upright. Watch how the Joeys player attacks the space, get dragged down, but is able to stay on his feet and off load.
Plus watch at 2.55 again for O'Kane using his leg and core strength. (This is something TSC brought more of to the game in their premiership run)
The change in the Healy Centre has been notable since Kevin O'Kane turned up. The 1st XV still have S&C input from past coaches as well. While the Joeys boys do not have modern gyms, they believe in hard work, smart work and plenty of it.