Montenegro has gone Sharks hunting, easily beating Australia 15-10 in their opening men's water polo match at the Olympics.

Australia led 7-6 at half time on Sunday, but the highly rated Montenegro team finished off the match with a 9-3 scoring run.

Montenegro are after their first Olympic medal, having finished fourth at the last three Games.

Richard Campbell scored three goals for the Sharks and Aleksa Ukropina led the way for Montenegro with four goals from four shots.

Montenegro made Australia pay for fouls, scoring eight out of nine from their extra player shots, while the Sharks were four from 10.

Australia's next match in Pool B, regarded as the pool of death in the men's competition, will be against Spain on Tuesday.