It's five o'clock somewhere! Today host Lara Vella drinks cocktails live on air at 6.30am while speaking to rowdy NSW fans ahead of State of Origin opener

By Monique Friedlander For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

The stage is set for Wednesday night's State of Origin clash between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.

And it seems no one is more excited for kick-off than Today show reporter Lara Vella, who knocked back a cocktail live on air at 6.30am.

The 34-year-old journalist toasted to the Origin opener by drinking a large blue cocktail while interviewing the manager of a 24-hour bar at The Star Sydney.

It's five o'clock somewhere! Today show reporter Lara Vella drank a blue cocktail live on air at 6.30am while speaking to rowdy NSW fans at a Sydney bar ahead of the State of Origin opener

It's five o'clock somewhere! Today show reporter Lara Vella drank a blue cocktail live on air at 6.30am while speaking to rowdy NSW fans at a Sydney bar ahead of the State of Origin opener 

'I want to introduce you to John. He's the venue manager and he has whipped up something special for us. It's a Blues-themed cocktail,' she said.

Lara was surrounded by a crowd of rowdy NSW fans, while a troupe of cheerleaders performed a routine in the background. 

'I will take a sip of this,' the reporter declared as she sucked from the straw. 

Getting the party started! Lara was surrounded by a crowd of NSW supporters, while a troupe of cheerleaders performed a routine in the background

Getting the party started! Lara was surrounded by a crowd of NSW supporters, while a troupe of cheerleaders performed a routine in the background  

She immediately grimaced after tasting the alcoholic beverage, saying afterwards: 'That is rocket fuel, yep!'

Lara's on-air antics have made headlines over the years, the most memorable being in September 2019 when she abruptly walked off set during a weather broadcast.   

She was forced to cut short her report in order to catch a flight, and dramatically tossed her script into the air and rushed off set to make it to the airport on time.

That'll put hairs on your chest! She immediately grimaced after tasting the alcoholic beverage, telling the camera: 'That is rocket fuel, yep!'

That'll put hairs on your chest! She immediately grimaced after tasting the alcoholic beverage, telling the camera: 'That is rocket fuel, yep!'

'Guys, that is it for me because I have to hightail it to the airport and we are off to Bowen, and this week you will see everything from redheads, snags, mangoes... that is all I have to say!' Lara announced.

'I will leave you to read the rest of the weather. I'm out of here, guys. That is a good tease,' she added.

Lara's colleagues Deborah Knight, Georgie Gardner and Tom Steinfort - who have all since left Today - were puzzled by her sudden exit.

'I thought you were here for the day. Goodness me, clocked off? Well, at least you're working. Thank you, Lara!' Deborah said with a laugh.

'I'm out of here!' Lara's on-air antics have made headlines over the years, the most memorable being in September 2019 when she abruptly walked off set during a weather broadcast

'I'm out of here!' Lara's on-air antics have made headlines over the years, the most memorable being in September 2019 when she abruptly walked off set during a weather broadcast

QueenslandNew South Wales

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