For Harry Kewell, a rare bit of reflection has unearthed just how tough a road there is to acceptance.Acceptance that for all youve achieved, there could have been more.Acceptance that not everyone likes you.And acceptance that therell be plenty of tough days to come, given his stated desire to progress from his current role as under 21 coach for Watford to mentor at the highest level in Europe.But acceptance is where Kewell, 38, has landed at long last.It wasnt always so for the man voted Australias greatest ever Socceroo, who had a tumultuous relationship with fans and media over the course of a glittering two-decade long career.His move into coaching seems to have mellowed the European Champions League and FA Cup winner, who has spent the week being feted for his achievements.Kewell insists hes not one ordinarily to look back.But its hard to avoid when youve received one of the greatest prizes your sport can offer.In Melbourne on Tuesday, Kewell became the seventh player to be awarded the Alex Tobin Medal, presented by Professional Footballers Australia for an outstanding overall contribution to the game.The list of recipients - the late Johnny Warren, Joe Marston, Craig Johnston, Mark Viduka, Frank Farina and Mark Schwarzer - shows the elite company that Kewell has joined.Kewell said reminiscing over his career could be painful.Im a believer that youve got to enjoy the good times because there are not that many in life, he said.The bad stuff - especially now - helps me get through when I am having bad days. I remember I have been in worse conditions and Ive survived.Theres no prizes for guessing that its Kewells various injuries that bring him the most pain to recall.Ankle, hamstring, abductor, adductor, concussion, neck, toe, knee, thigh, and back issues all brought lengthy lay-offs across 18 professional seasons.And then theres the infamous but implausible diagnosis of gout - later changed to a form of arthritis in his ankle - that prematurely ended his 2006 World Cup.Missing big occasions brought criticism and abuse and contributed to a downward spiral that at times brought him to tears.The bottom of the world is when youre sitting on the end of the bed crying, and youre going am I ever going to play again?, he said.Youre sitting there going whats wrong with me?Every time Im kicking, Im ripping a muscle. Every time Im turning, Im breaking down.I get back. I work hard for four weeks and I break down again.The pressure of people that keep going whats wrong with me. Its not like the worlds ending - but its your career.Kewell nominated his five injury-plagued seasons at Liverpool as the toughest stretch, and the European Champions League final as the worst moment.Ive had 14 operations and the majority were at Liverpool, he said.It was a nightmare. An absolute nightmare.Youd have an operation and you think thats it, thats finished now. Im going to be brand new again.It doesnt happen.An injury is like a jigsaw puzzle. You fix one area and something else goes.Kewell was substituted 23 minutes into the Champions League decider, eventually won on penalties after a comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan.I put it all in to be at the highest level possible ... as an Australian player the European Cup final is the biggest level you can ever reach, he said.I got to achieve that only for it to come crashing down.You just want to fight, you just want to be there for your team and get their backs. But my groin snapped.So why is Kewell happy to talk candidly about his darkest days now, two years after he called time on his career?This is probably going to sound stupid. But you probably dont want to show weakness, he confesses.Ive accepted it. Its hard to accept when youre playing.Theres a lot of players out there going through the same kind of problems. Top quality players.People are hammering them and Im going its not actually him, you dont want to be injured but sometimes you cant get out of that cycle.While Kewell seems to have accepted his lot, hes also recognising the guiding forces in his career.And theres one he keeps returning to: his family.When things like that break you, youve got to find something inside you to get back.Ive got a strong family behind me. My wifes very strong. She got me through it.My kids are a big part too. People talk about winning premierships, theyre my four titles there. 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New Zealand Sevens star Ben Lam has joined Super Rugby champions Hurricanes ahead of the 2017 season.Lam has signed a two-year deal with the Canes and is currently recovering from a long spell on the sidelines with the knee injury that ruled him out of the 2016 Olympics.Having played for the Blues he knows the Super Rugby competition well and is looking forward to running out for the champions, saying: I see this move as a great opportunity to develop my game and also as a frresh start for my fifteens career.ddddddddddddHurricanes backs coach Jason Holland added: Ben is a big, strong and quick wing and hes shown in sevens and fifteens that hes a genuine finisher when it comes to finding the try line.Were looking forward to seeing him return to full fitness and hes going to add some real competition in our back three. ' ' '