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SYDNEY, Friday (Reuters) - Australia captain Steve Waugh believes New Zealand will be harder to beat than many people think in the test series starting next week.

"The last series against New Zealand (which Australia won 3-0 in 2000), they probably should have won the tests at Eden Park and Hamilton," Waugh said on Thursday.

"We know it's going to be hard. It's not a matter of turning up and just going out there and it's going to be an easy victory."

However, Australian bookmaker TAB Sportsbet quoted New Zealand at odds of 40-1 to win the three-test series against the world champions.

While Waugh was launching his new book "Ashes Diary 2001" in Sydney, Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne added his praise for New Zealand at a promotional appearance in Melbourne on Thursday.

Warne said it would be a mistake for Australia to look ahead to the home three-test series against closest rivals South Africa starting on December 14.

"Everybody in the back of their minds is on the South African series," Warne said.

"But if we start thinking about the South African series and think we're going to beat New Zealand easily, they'll jump up and bite us.

"Do not underestimate New Zealand. I know you look at the Australian team and what we've achieved over the last few years compared to New Zealand, but they have some quality players."

Warne believes left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori will be important for New Zealand if he recovers from an ankle injury in time to play in the series.

Vettori has a slim chance of being available for next week's first test, but is more likely to return in the second match starting on November 22 in Hobart.

"The reason spinners do well here is because of the bounce in the wickets," said Warne, who has taken 407 test wickets.

"They might not turn as much as other wickets around the world, but they can bounce and do it quickly.

"New Zealand would be quite excited if he (Vettori) is available for the tests, because he is a big part of their team."

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