Hockeyroos take off in Rio

Fast and ruthless, the Hockeyroos finally got their Rio Olympics campaign off and running.

The Australian women's team destroyed India 6-1 on Wednesday in a brilliant up-tempo display which lifted the previously winless Hockeyroos from last in Pool B into the top four and on track for a place in the quarter-finals.

Jodie Kenny was one of the stars for world No.3 Australia, scoring a double and celebrating her 100th international goal with her second strike.

"I wasn't thinking about it but I'm so happy to put away a century," Kenny said.

"We had to just go out there and play our style of hockey and be really ruthless up front."

After two straight losses against Great Britain and the US, plenty were starting to wonder if the Hockeyroos were set for an embarrassing early departure from Brazil.

"If we play hockey like that then we'll beat any team in this competition," Kenny said.

Australia will need to be at their best for the next match against world No.2 Argentina on Wednesday before they face Japan (No.10) in their final pool game on Friday.

Coach Adam Commens was pleased to see his side back playing top-shelf hockey.

"We are one of the best teams in the world and I think you saw that today how we move and the speed we play through the midfield," he said.

Commens' side rocketed to an early 2-0 lead after goals from penalty corners to Kathryn Slattery and Georgina Morgan in the first quarter and it was all over from there.

Jane Claxton and Georgie Parker scored in quick succession after halftime before Kenny finished them off.