A hat-trick in 61 seconds to Sydneysider Nicola Zagame set Australia rolling to a spectacular 15-7 victory over Greece on the opening day of the women's water polo tournament celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Sydney Olympics.

Zagame, the 20-year-old shooting star of the National Water Polo League, had the Stingers 3-1 up en route to a unusually high 7-3 first-quarter lead over the world No.3 nation.

Last month Australia beat Greece 7-5 at the FINA Word League Super Finals.

"The young girls really stepped up and it gives us lots of options for the future," coach Greg McFadden said.

"We're normally lucky to score seven goals in a whole game against Greece."

The margin eased to 10-3 at halftime and 14-6 by the final break as Greece started to fight back.

Coach Georgios Morfesis said his women were never in the game as the Stingers counter-attacked time and again in the first quarter.

"We were very bad in extra play defence and offence. We know Greece can be better than that," he said.

Earlier Sunday, NSW Institute of Sport pulled together a team at short notice to replace the yet to arrive Chinese team. The NSW players stunned European champions Russia who hung on for 13-11 win.

AAP